modern: [16] Latin modus (source of English mode and model) meant ‘measure’. Its ablative form modō hence originally denoted ‘to the measure’, but it subsequently came to be used as an adverb meaning ‘just now’. And in postclassical times an adjective modernus was derived from it, signifying ‘of the present time’ – source, via French, of English modern. At first it was used strictly for ‘of the present moment’, but before the end of the 16th century the now familiar sense ‘of the present age’ had begun to emerge. => mode, model
modern (adj.)
c. 1500, "now existing;" 1580s, "of or pertaining to present or recent times;" from Middle French moderne (15c.) and directly from Late Latin modernus "modern" (Priscian, Cassiodorus), from Latin modo "just now, in a (certain) manner," from modo (adv.) "to the measure," ablative of modus "manner, measure" (see mode (n.1)). Extended form modern-day attested from 1909.
In Shakespeare, often with a sense of "every-day, ordinary, commonplace." Slang abbreviation mod first attested 1960. Modern art is from 1807 (by contrast to ancient); modern dance first attested 1912; first record of modern jazz is from 1954. Modern conveniences first recorded 1926.
modern (n.)
1580s, "person of the present time" (contrasted to ancient, from modern (adj.). From 1897 as "one who is up to date."
双语例句
1. We are in one of the most severe recessions in modern times.
我们正在经历现代最严重的一段经济衰退。
来自柯林斯例句
2. In many ways, it was a very modern school for its time.
从很多方面来说，这所学校在当时是非常先进的。
来自柯林斯例句
3. This boxed collection captures 64 of the greatest modern love songs.
这套盒装专辑收录了64首最好听的当代爱情歌曲。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Most modern housing estates are terrible and inevitably done on the cheap.
现在的房子大多质量差劲透顶，肯定都是偷工减料盖起来的。
来自柯林斯例句
5. The telephone is one of the great tyrannies of modern life.
