Word of the Day - 10/24/25
modicum
/'mɑdɪkəm/(n.): a small or moderate or token amount
She possessed only a modicum of patience for her children's endless questions.
Word Origin
The word 'modicum' comes from the Latin word 'modicum', which is the neuter singular form of the adjective 'modicus', meaning "moderate, small, or little." This adjective itself is derived from the Latin noun 'modus', meaning "measure, limit, or manner." Therefore, 'modicum' originally referred to a small measured amount.
Many English words share the same Latin root 'modus'. Examples include 'mode' (a way or manner), 'moderate' (keeping within reasonable limits or measure), 'modify' (to make partial changes, often to adjust a measure), and 'module' (a standard unit or measure). All these words reflect the concept of measure, limit, or manner derived from 'modus'.