mo·der·ni·ty \mäˈdərnəd.ē, məˈ-, -də̄n-, -dəin-, -nətē, -i\noun (-es) Etymology: Medieval Latin modernitat-, modernitas, from Late Latin modernus modern + -itat-, -itas -ity : the quality or state of being modern : modernism < this sleepy little city … is waiting for a motor speedway to breathe new life and a spirit of modernity into it — Arnaldo Cortesi >