From Latin 'modestus' (keeping due measure), from 'modus' (measure) — a modest person knows their own measure.
Unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements; moderate in size, amount, or degree; decorous in manner and dress.
From Latin 'modestus,' meaning 'moderate, keeping due measure, sober, restrained,' from 'modus' (measure, manner, limit, way, rhythm) + the adjectival suffix '-estus.' 'Modus' derives from PIE *med- (to measure, to take appropriate measures, to advise). This same root produced Latin 'medicina' (medicine — the art of measured care), 'meditari' (to measure mentally, to meditate), 'modus' (measure, mode), and through Greek 'médesthai' (to be mindful of), ultimately 'moderate,' 'model,' 'modify,' and 'mood' (via Germanic
Latin 'modus' (measure) is one of the most productive roots in English. It gave us 'mode,' 'model,' 'modern' (from 'modernus,' just now, of the present measure of time), 'moderate,' 'modify,' 'modular,' 'mood' (in grammar, from 'modus'), 'commodity,' and 'accommodate.' A 'modest' person, etymologically, is one who knows