Modicum

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈmɒdɪkəm/

Definitions

1. A small but sufficient amount of something that indicates a degree of presence or quality
2. A slight quantity that is often regarded as barely adequate for a specific need or condition
3. A minimal quantity of something that reflects a certain level or subset of a larger characteristic or quality

Etymology: Latin "modicum" started out as a plain adjective-derived noun meaning "a little, a small amount," built from "modicus," which meant "moderate, restrained, reasonable." That adjective goes back to "modus," a word meaning "a measure, a bound, or limit." So the word's core idea is measure: a quantity kept within bounds, neither too much nor too little. English took the word from Latin in the Middle English period, and it kept that sense of a measured portion. The meaning sits in an interesting middle ground. A modicum is not a trifle; it is the least amount that still counts, enough to show something is really there. Its sense of "sufficient" is built into the word's history, since the measure it refers to is one that is adequate for the purpose. The plural follows the Latin neuter pattern, "modica," which English writers occasionally used as a plural, though the regular English plural "modicums" is the usual form today.

Synonyms: small amount, bit, particle, trace, smidgen

Antonyms: abundance, plethora, plenty, large quantity, surplus