mo|dal

mo|dal «MOH duhl», adjective.

1. of or having to do with mode, manner, or form, as contrasted with substance.

2. Grammar. a) of or having to do with the mood of a verb. b) denoting manner or modality.

3. Music. of or having to do with a mode, especially any of the medieval church modes: »

One must pause before attempting to define this new music of Claude Debussy in all its tonal attributes, modal developments, and techniques (Atlantic).

4. Philosophy. of, consisting in, or relating to formal manifestation as contrasted with basic substance.

5. Law. (of a legacy, contract, or other instrument) containing provisions defining the manner in which it is to take effect.

6. Logic. displaying modality.

7. Physics. of or having to do with a mode of vibration.

╂[< Medieval Latin modalis < Latin modus a measure. Compare etym. under mode¹.]

–mo´dal|ly, adverb.