Etymologically
Log in

modice

History Permalink

Etymology and origin of the Latin word modice

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
204–169 BC, Ennius
Ultimate origin
Proto-Indo-European (*med-o-)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin modicus
Latin modice
Latin immodicus

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ˈmɔ.dɪ.kɛ][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [ˈmɔː.di.t͡ʃe][1]

Forms

modicē (comparative modicius, superlative modicissimē)[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin modicus (“moderate”) + -ē, the adverb of the adjective.[2][1] modicus is from modus (“measure”), which de Vaan traces to Proto-Italic *medo- (“measure, judgement”) and Proto-Indo-European *med-o- (“measure”).[3] Cognate with Umbrian mers (“law”) and Oscan meddíss (“magistrate”).[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first example is Ennius' tragedy, of one who obeys modestly and with restraint.[2] Köbler dates it from Cicero.[4]

Semantic evolution

It means in a restrained way, moderately or soberly, and modice ferre is to bear something with restraint;[2] Varro uses it of night and day coming and going in measure.[2] It is also moderately in size, as Columella's trunk split a little, and to a moderate extent, as Cicero's place fairly damp, or only slightly, as Clodius' threats that touch him only a little.[2] Suetonius uses it of a couch meanly spread, and Varro of words arranged according to a rule in poetry.[2] In medieval Latin it means a little.[5]

Timeline

  • 204–169 BC – Ennius of modest obedience.[2][4]
  • 116–27 BC – Varro of night and day in measure.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero of slight concern.[2][4]
  • c. 75–c. 150 AD – Suetonius of a plain couch.[2][4]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. With restraint, moderately, soberly.[2][1]
  2. Moderately in size or extent.[2]
  3. Reasonably, fairly; only slightly.[2][5][1]
  4. In a rather poor manner, meanly.[2]
  5. According to a rule, regularly.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  4. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
Cite this entry

“Modice.” Etymologically, 19 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/modice. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·