modality
UK: /məʊˈdæləti/ | US: /moʊˈdæləti/
n. 1. The quality or state of being modal (relating to mode or form).
n. 2. A specific mode or method in logic, linguistics, or medicine.
n. 3. In music, the use of scales or modes distinct from major/minor tonalities.
Derived from Late Latin modalitas, rooted in Latin modus (meaning "measure, manner, or mode"). The morpheme mod reflects the core idea of "mode" or "method," while -ality combines -al (forming adjectives) and -ity (forming abstract nouns). The word evolved through medieval scholastic Latin to denote logical or qualitative distinctions, later expanding to linguistics (grammatical mood) and music (scalar systems).
The modality of the verb indicates whether it’s a statement or command.
Different teaching modalities cater to diverse learning styles.
The study compared the therapeutic modalities of acupuncture and physiotherapy.
Jazz often incorporates non-Western melodic modalities.
Legal contracts specify the modality of dispute resolution.