Moderns

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to the current time period or contemporary practices and ideas
2. Characterizing trends, styles, or innovations that are prevalent in today's society
3. Describing a state or culture that embraces newness and changes distinct from traditional norms

Etymology: "Moderns" is simply the plural of "modern," so its history is that of "modern" itself. The adjective came into English from Middle French "moderne," which in turn descends from Late Latin "modernus." That Late Latin form was built on "modo," meaning "just now," which was originally an ablative form of "modus," meaning "measure." The link is that "just now" was understood as "by this measure," the present moment marked off from the past. The connection to "mode" is worth noticing, since the two words share the same ancestor. "Mode," in its sense of a manner or style, comes from the same Latin "modus," so a modern thing is, at root, something measured to the current fashion. The word's sense of "up to date" grew out of that quiet idea of a present moment set apart from what came before.

Synonyms: contemporaries, present-day people, current generation, newcomers, progressives

Antonyms: ancients, traditionals, old-timers, classics, old-fashioned people