- modern (adj.) - c.1500, "now existing;" 1580s, "of or
pertaining to present or recent times;" from Middle French
moderne (15c.) and directly from Late Latin modernus "modern"
(Priscian, Cassiodorus), from Latin modo "just now, in a
(certain) manner," from modo (adv.) "to the measure," ablative
of modus "manner, measure" (see mode (n.1)). Extended form
modern-day attested from 1909. In Shakespeare, often with a
sense of "every-day, ordinary, commonplace." Slang abbreviation
mod first attested 1960. Modern art is from 1807 (by contrast to
ancient); modern dance first attested 1912; first record of
modern jazz is from 1954. Modern conveniences first recorded
1926. - modern (n.) - 1580s, "person of the present time"
(contrasted to ancient, from modern (adj.). From 1897 as "one
who is up to date."