modicum (modikum)

[L. modicum, neut. of modicus, moderate, small, lit. keeping within due measure, Though nature weigh our talents, and dispense To every man his modicum of sense. 3815 4. The result of variation or alteration; that which marks or shows variation of character, form, or function; mode, form, or condition reached through proce of change, or through being modified. If it [the soul] be neither matter nor any modification Clarke, To Mr. Dods well. of matter. 2. Any small thing; a diminutive person. Marc. Where are you, you modicum, you dwarf? Mari. Here, giante , here. Mas singer, Duke of Milan, ii. 3t. Something eaten to provoke thirst. There was no boote to bid runne for drams to drive down this undigested moddicombe. Armin, Nest of Ninnies (1608). ( Nares.) ficatif = Sp. Pg. It. modificativo; as modificate + -ive.] That which modifies or serves to modify or qualify. We may observe that the Spirit of Truth itself, where numbers and measures are concerned, in times, places, and persons, useth the aforesaid modificatives [“ almost and "very nigh"]. mod if i cat or (mod'i-fi-ka-tor), n. [ modificate Dekker, Gull's Hornbook (1609).