[mod.est] adj [L modestus moderate; akin to L modus measure] (1565) 1 a: placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth b: neither bold nor self-assertive: tending toward diffidence
2: arising from or characteristic of a modest nature
3: observing the proprieties of dress and behavior: decent
4. a: limited in size, amount, or scope b: unpretentious "a ~ cottage" syn see shy, chaste -- mod.est.ly adv