What does modesty mean?
Definitions for modesty
ˈmɒd ə stimod·esty
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word modesty.
Princeton's WordNet
modesty, modestnessnoun
freedom from vanity or conceit
modesty, reservenoun
formality and propriety of manner
Wiktionary
modestynoun
The quality of being modest; having a limited and not overly high opinion of oneself and one's abilities.
modestynoun
Moderate behaviour; reserve.
modestynoun
Pudency, prudish avoidance of sexual explicitness.
Etymology: From modest + -y.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Modestynoun
Etymology: modestie, Fr. modestas, Latin.
They cannot, with modesty, think to have found out absolutely the best which the wit of men may devise. Richard Hooker.
A lord will hear you play;
But I am doubtful of your modesties,
Lest over eying of his odd behaviour,
You break into some merry passion. William Shakespeare.Would you not swear,
All you that see her, that she were a maid,
By these exterior shews? But she is more,
Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty. William Shakespeare.Of the general character of women, which is modesty, he has taken a most becoming care; for his amorous expressions go no farther than virtue may allow. Dryden.
Talk not to a lady in a way that modesty will not permit her to answer. Clarissa.
Wikipedia
Modesty
Modesty, sometimes known as demureness, is a mode of dress and deportment which intends to avoid the encouraging of sexual attraction in others. The word "modesty" comes from the Latin word modestus which means "keeping within measure". Standards of modesty are culturally and context dependent and vary widely. In this use, it may be considered inappropriate or immodest to reveal certain parts of the body. In some societies, modesty may involve women covering their bodies completely and not talking to men who are not immediate family members; in others, a fairly revealing but one-piece bathing costume is considered modest while other women wear bikinis. In some countries, exposure of the body in breach of community standards of modesty is also considered to be public indecency, and public nudity is generally illegal in most of the world and regarded as indecent exposure. For example, Stephen Gough, a lone man attempting to walk naked from south to north in the United Kingdom, was repeatedly imprisoned. However, nudity is at times tolerated in some societies; for example by Digambara monks in India, who renounce clothing for ascetic reasons, and during a World Naked Bike Ride.In semi-public contexts standards of modesty can vary by region. Nudity may be acceptable in public single-sex changing rooms at swimming baths, for example, or for mass medical examination of people for military service. In private, standards again depend upon the circumstances. A person who would never disrobe in the presence of the opposite sex in a social context might unquestioningly do so for a medical examination; others might allow examination, but only by a person of the same sex.
ChatGPT
modesty
Modesty is a personal or societal standard of behavior or appearance that values humility, restraint, and avoidance of extravagance or attention-seeking. It often involves a lack of arrogance and pretentiousness and may also be associated with decent dressing and good manners. Modesty can also relate to self-understanding, acknowledging one's limitations or faults, and not assuming superiority over others.
Webster Dictionary
Modestynoun
the quality or state of being modest; that lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one's own worth and importance; absence of self-assertion, arrogance, and presumption; humility respecting one's own merit
Modestynoun
natural delicacy or shame regarding personal charms and the sexual relation; purity of thought and manners; due regard for propriety in speech or action
Wikidata
Modesty
Modesty is a mode of dress and deportment intended not to encourage sexual attraction in others; actual standards vary widely. In this use, it can be considered inappropriate or immodest to reveal certain parts of the body. A modest woman would not behave so as to encourage the sexual attention of men. In some societies women must cover their bodies completely and may never talk to men who are not immediate family members; in others a fairly revealing but one-piece bathing costume is considered modest when other women wear bikinis. Modesty in dress and deportment is usually encouraged by peer pressure, although a few countries enforce rigid dress codes. In some countries, exposure of the body in breach of community standards of modesty is also considered to be public indecency, and public nudity is generally illegal in most of the world and regarded as indecent exposure. However, nudity is at times tolerated in some societies; for example, during a world naked bike ride, while a lone man attempting to walk naked from south to north Britain was repeatedly imprisoned. Small children are widely not expected to be fully clothed in public until they are grown up. In semi-public contexts standards of modesty vary. Nudity may be acceptable in public single-sex changing rooms at swimming baths, for example, or for mass medical examination of men for military service. In private, standards again depend upon the circumstances. A person who would never disrobe in the presence of a physician of the opposite sex in a social context might unquestioningly do so for a medical examination; others might allow examination, but only by a person of the same sex.
The Roycroft Dictionary
modesty
1. A beau-catcher that young ladies wear and women affect. 2. In a sweetmeat, the souffle through which we dig to reach the plums. 3. The blush on the face of Desire at the consciousness of its own immodesty. 4. Among men modesty is the will-to-wait and seize. 5. Venom, who sidles into corners and shuns the limelight, so that he may the better see. 6. The attitude of mind that precedes the pounce. 7. The subtlest symptom of paranoia. 8. Egotism turned wrong side out.
Anagrams for modesty »
dystome
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of modesty in Chaldean Numerology is: 1
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of modesty in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2
Examples of modesty in a Sentence
We have a great advantage, and we can say it without false modesty: we are better than they are.
Modesty is the conscience of the body.
Modesty is a quality in a lover more praised by the women than liked.
A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every talent which a man can be possessed of. It heightens all the virtues which it accompanies; like the shades of paintings, it raises and rounds every figure, and makes the colours more beautiful, though not so glowing as they would be without it.
He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.
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References
Translations for modesty
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- skromnostCzech
- BescheidenheitGerman
- μετριοπάθεια, σεμνότητα, ταπεινότητα, μετριοφροσύνηGreek
- seksmodesteco, modestecoEsperanto
- آزرمPersian
- häveliäisyys, säädyllisyys, siveys, vaatimattomuus, kainousFinnish
- modestie, pudeurFrench
- համեստությունArmenian
- მოკრძალებაGeorgian
- 겸손Korean
- gereserveerdheid, schroom, bescheidenheidDutch
- skromnośćPolish
- modéstiaPortuguese
- modestie, castitate, rezervă, puritateRomanian
- благопристойность, застенчивость, стыдливость, целомудрие, сдержанность, скромностьRussian
- скро̏мно̄ст, čȅdnōst, skrȍmnōst, че̏дно̄стSerbo-Croatian
- skromnostSlovene
- వినయముTelugu
- شائستگیUrdu
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"modesty." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/modesty>.
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