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Modal: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽต
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modal

 

[ หˆmoสŠdษ™l ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

grammar term

A modal is a type of auxiliary verb that expresses necessity, possibility, permission, or ability. Modals are used in combination with main verbs to convey different meanings. Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would. They do not change form according to the subject, making them unique in many respects. Their meanings can also vary widely depending on the context in which they are used.

Synonyms

auxiliary verb, helping verb

Examples of usage

  • You must finish your homework.
  • She can swim very well.
  • You might want to check the weather.
  • We should leave early to avoid traffic.
Context #2 | Noun

music genre

Modal also refers to a type of musical scale that is constructed on a specific mode. In music theory, modes are variations of the major and minor scales and provide different tonalities and emotional expressions. There are seven modes, including Dorian, Phrygian, and Mixolydian, each named after a particular ancient Greek tribe. Modal music often results in a distinct sound that differs from traditional major or minor music.

Synonyms

scale, tonal system

Examples of usage

  • The melody is composed in the Dorian mode.
  • This piece features a Mixolydian modal character.
  • Many folk songs utilize modal scales.

Translations

Translations of the word "modal" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น modal

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเฅ‰เคกเคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช modal

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ modal

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะพะดะฐะปัŒะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ modalny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒขใƒผใƒ€ใƒซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท modal

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ modal

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท modal

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ชจ๋‹ฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ูˆุฏุงู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ modรกlnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ modรกlny

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆจกๆ€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ modalni

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mรณdel

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะพะดะฐะปัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒ“แƒแƒšแƒฃแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ modal

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ modal

Etymology

The word 'modal' originates from the Latin word 'modus', meaning 'measure' or 'manner'. This term transitioned into Old French before making its way into Middle English in the 14th century. In the realm of grammar, the term modal has been used since the 19th century to describe a specific set of verbs that express various modalities such as ability, possibility, permission, and necessity. The musical application of the term modal emerged later, influenced by the study of ancient Greek musical practices and their scales. The increasing complexity of Western music from the Medieval period onward saw musicians using modes as both theoretical constructs and practical tools for composition, leading to the adoption of the term within musical vocabulary.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,704, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.