释义 |
mo·dal·i·ty \mōˈdaləd.ē, -ətē, -i\ noun (-es) Etymology: French modalité, from Middle French, from modal (from Medieval Latin modalis) + -ité -ity 1. a. : the quality or state of being modal < the modality of his music > < modality of a circle > b. : a modal quality, attribute, or circumstance : form, pattern < as the varying subject matter requires, the narrative and style take on the modalities of comedy, romance, tragedy, or tragicomedy — J.W.Beach > 2. : the qualification of logical propositions according to which they are distinguished as asserting or denying the possibility, impossibility, contingency, or necessity of their content — see category 1b 3. : one of the main avenues of sensation (as vision or audition) 4. a. : any of several agencies used in physical therapy (as diathermy, high-frequency currents, or massage) b. : an apparatus for applying such agencies 5. : a tendency to conform to a pattern or type < the greater modality of the male in this regard is indicated by a smaller representation of males than females in the category “Miscellaneous” — Eleanor Smith & J.H.Greenberg Monane > |