modestia Latin · revision 8333

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=la modus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [mɔˈdɛs.ti.a]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [moˈdɛs.ti.a]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''modestia''' ''f'' (genitive modestiae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[modestus]] “moderate”, from [[modus]] “measure”, with the suffix [[-ia]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of restraint.^(OLD 2012) Köbler's first source is Ennius, whom he dates 204–169 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant restraint, mildness, temperateness, as in Plautus, in Caesar respect for order, discipline, and in Cicero respect for decency, modesty, especially in women.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein explains that ''modus'' is due measure in itself, ''modestia'' the feeling for it, and ''moderātiō'' the habit of acting by it.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant modesty.^(Stelten 1995) British Medieval Latin used it for respect for order and propriety, modesty.^(DMLBS) It survives in Italian and Spanish ''modestia'' and French ''modestie'', and gave [[en|modesty]] in the 1530s, first “freedom from exaggeration, self-control”.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of restraint.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of discipline.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1530s – English ''modesty'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Restraint, temperateness.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Discipline.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|Modesty]], decency.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[modestus]]

+ * [[modus]]

+ * [[en|modesty]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes it from [[moderātiō]].^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}