Meaning & Definition of word "Modal"
to
Modal
/ˈmoʊ.dəl/
noun:
- 1. A modal verb, which is an auxiliary verb used to express ability, possibility, permission, or obligation.
- Example: In the phrase 'You must finish your homework', 'must' is a modal.
- 2. A type of scale used in music theory, particularly relating to modes.
- Example: The music instructor explained the different modals and how they affect the mood of a composition.
adjective:
- 1. Relating to mood or form, especially in grammar, relating to the mood of a verb that expresses the speaker's attitude toward the action.
- Example: In English, modal verbs like 'can', 'could', 'may', and 'must' express necessity or possibility.
- 2. In music, relating to or based on the system of modes, particularly referring to the major and minor scales.
- Example: The piece was composed in a modal scale, giving it a unique sound compared to traditional major and minor compositions.
- 3. In statistics, referring to the mode, or the value that appears most frequently in a data set.
- Example: The modal value of the dataset indicated that most participants preferred option A over the others.
Etymology
Derived from Latin 'modalis,' meaning 'of a mode or measure.'
Common Phrases and Expressions
modal logic:
A type of logic that deals with modes of truth, such as necessity and possibility.
modal verbs:
Verbs used to indicate modality, such as can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.
modal window:
A dialog box that requires the user to interact with it before they can return to operating the parent application.
Related Words
modality:
The way in which something exists, is experienced, or is expressed.
mode:
A manner of doing something; a way or method.