modestly
UK[ˈmɒdɪstli]US[ˈmɑːdɪstli]
adv
in a way that is not large, expensive, important, etc.
adv
in a way that does not show too high an opinion of yourself or your abilities.
Morpheme Breakdown
modest
ly
modest
moderate, unassuming
ly
adverb suffix
Etymology
the adverb 'modestly' is formed by appending the old english adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'modest'. the adjective 'modest' entered english in the mid-16th century from french modeste, which itself derives from latin modestus, meaning 'keeping due measure, moderate, restrained'. modestus is related to modus, meaning 'measure' or 'manner', a root that also gives us 'mode' and 'moderate'. the core semantic thread from the latin root is the concept of staying within proper limits, which evolved into the modern senses of being unassuming in behavior and moderate in size or amount.
Analysis
Structure: modest (moderate, unassuming) + ly (adverb suffix)
modest (from latin modestus, meaning 'keeping due measure, moderate, restrained') + ly (from old english -līce, an adverbial suffix forming adverbs from adjectives).
Examples
the house is modestly furnished.
she smiled modestly when they praised her work.
the company's profits increased modestly this quarter.