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modicum

 - 3 dictionary results

mod⋅i⋅cum

  [mod-i-kuhm]
Use modicum in a Sentence
–noun
a moderate or small amount: He hasn't even a modicum of common sense.
Origin:
1425–75; late ME < L, n. use of neut. of modicus moderate, equiv. to modi-, comb. form of modus limit (see mode 1 ) + -cus adj. suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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mod·i·cum   (mŏd'ĭ-kəm)   
n.   pl. mod·i·cums or mod·i·ca (-kə)
A small, moderate, or token amount: "England still expects a modicum of eccentricity in its artists" (Ian Jack).

[Middle English, from Latin, from neuter of modicus, moderate, from modus, measure; see med- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

modicum 
"small quantity or portion," c.1470, from Scottish, from L. modicum "a little," neut. of modicus "moderate," from modus "measure, manner" (see mode (1)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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