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modest [modest 词源字典]: modest: [16] Etymologically, modest means ‘kept within due measure’. It comes via French from Latin modestus, a derivative of the same source as produced English moderate. This was *modes-, a close relative of Latin modus ‘measure’ (from which English gets mode and model).
=> mode, model[modest etymology, modest origin, 英语词源]
immodest (adj.): 1560s, "arrogant, impudent, pretentious," from Latin immodestus "unrestrained, excessive," from assimilated form of in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + modestus (see modest). Meaning "indecent" is from 1580s. Related: immodestly.
immodesty (n.): 1590s, from Latin immodestia "intemperate conduct," from immodestus (see immodest).
modest (adj.): 1560s, "having moderate self-regard," from Middle French modeste (14c.), from Latin modestus "keeping due measure" (see modesty). Of women, "not improper or lewd," 1590s; of female attire, 1610s. Of demands, etc., c. 1600. Related: Modestly.
modesty (n.): 1530s, "freedom from exaggeration, self-control," from Middle French modestie or directly from Latin modestia "moderation, sense of honor, correctness of conduct," from modestus "moderate, keeping measure, sober, gentle, temperate," from modus "measure, manner" (see mode (n.1)). Meaning "quality of having a moderate opinion of oneself" is from 1550s; that of "womanly propriety" is from 1560s.
La pudeur donne des plaisirs bien flatteurs à l'amant: elle lui fait sentir quelles lois l'on transgresse pour lui; (Modesty both pleases and flatters a lover, for it lays stress on the laws which are being transgressed for his sake.) [Stendhal "de l'Amour," 1822]