modicum

American  

[mod-i-kuhm, moh-di-] / ˈmɒd ɪ kəm, ˈmoʊ dɪ- /

noun

1. a moderate or small amount.

   He hasn't even a modicum of common sense.

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modicum British  

/ ˈmɒdɪkəm /

noun

1. a small amount or portion

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Etymology

Origin of modicum

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin, noun use of neuter of modicus “moderate,” equivalent to modi-, combining form of modus limit ( see mode ¹) + -cus adjective suffix

Explanation

If you want to describe a small amount of something, try modicum. If you have a modicum of interest in something, you are a little bit interested. Modicum comes from the Latin modicus, for moderate, and modus, for measure. We often use it to mean "any at all," as if "If you had a modicum of sense (i.e. any sense at all), you'd be able to see that the pencil you've spent the last five minutes looking for is tucked behind your ear."

Example Sentences

Modicum, mod′i-kum, n. a small quantity: something of a moderate size: anything very small.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Modicum est maior Aquila, cristam in capite maiorem pauonis, collum habens croceum, dorsum Indicum, alas purpureas, caudam duobus coloribus, per transuersum croceo et rubeo regulatam, qui singuli colores sunt ad splendorem Solis delectabiliter videntibus resplendentes.

From The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 08 Asia, Part I by Hakluyt, Richard

Related Words

• iota
• ounce
• shred