modalis

Forms

modālis (neuter modāle); third-declension two-termination adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is a medieval formation^[2] from Latin modus (“measure, manner, mode”) + -ālis.^[1][3][4] ⟨modus⟩ goes back to Proto-Indo-European *med-o- (“measure”).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The earliest use the Lexicon musicum Latinum records is in an 11th-century commentary on Guido, where it describes the notes that belong to a mode.^[6]

Semantic evolution

Besides music, where it referred to the church modes and to intervals,^[6][7] it became a term of scholastic logic: a modal proposition states that something is necessary, possible, impossible or contingent, as opposed to a plain statement de inesse.^[2][7] Köbler's first record of the word is in John of Salisbury, about 1160.^[3] In grammar it referred to mood,^[8] and Bracton used it in law of a gift that is neither absolute nor conditional but carries a provision on how it takes effect.^[2]

The English word modal came from French and directly from it in the 1560s, first as a term of logic.^[4]

Timeline

• 11th century – A commentary on Guido speaks of modal notes.^[6]
• c. 1160 – John of Salisbury uses it.^[3]
• 1239–1256 – Bracton uses it as a legal term.^[2][3]
• 1560s – English borrows it as modal, first in logic.^[4]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (music) Belonging to a mode (church mode); relating to intervals.^[6][7]
2. (logic) modal, expressing necessity, possibility or contingency; as a feminine noun, a modal proposition.^[2][7][8]
3. (grammar) Relating to mood.^[8]
4. (law) Containing a provision on the manner in which something takes effect.^[2]
5. Relating to a mode of being.^[7]

Related words

• English modal

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
6. ^ a b c d Lexicon musicum Latinum medii aevi (1992–), Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften; online ed. Wörterbuchnetz
7. ^ a b c d e Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum / Slovník středověké latiny v českých zemích (1977–), Prague: Academia; electronic version, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences
8. ^ a b c Schütz, Ludwig (1895), Thomas-Lexikon, 2nd ed., Paderborn: F. Schöningh