modern

a. [ F. moderne, L. modernus; akin to modo just now, orig. abl. of modus measure; hence, by measure, just now. See Mode. ] 1. Of or pertaining to the present time, or time not long past; late; not ancient or remote in past time; of recent period; as, modern days, ages, or time; modern authors; modern fashions; modern taste; modern practice. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. New and common; trite; commonplace. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We have our philosophical persons, to make modern and familiar, things supernatural and causeless. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Modern English. See the Note under English. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Modernization. [ Chiefly Brit. ]
Syn. -- modernizing. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. Modern practice; a thing of recent date; esp., a modern usage or mode of expression. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Certain methods and tendencies which, in Biblical questions, apologetics, and the theory of dogma, in the endeavor to reconcile the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church with the conclusions of modern science, replace the authority of the church by purely subjective criteria; -- so called officially by Pope Pius X. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Cf. F. moderniste. ] 1. One who admires the moderns, or their ways and fashions. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An advocate of the teaching of modern subjects, as modern languages, in preference to the ancient classics. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

adj. Conspicuously (sometimes outrageously) modern in style or appearance; as, shiny tables in modernistic design. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. Modernness; something modern. Walpole. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of rendering modern in style; the act or process of causing to conform to modern of thinking or acting. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Modernized p. pr. & vb. n. Modernizing ] [ Cf. F. moderniser. ] To render modern; to adapt to modern person or things; to cause to conform to recent or present usage or taste. Percy. [ 1913 Webster ]