A small amount of something, usually used when saying a tiny bit of something positive like 'a modicum of respect.'
From Latin 'modicum' meaning 'a small amount,' derived from 'modus' (measure or manner), so literally 'a small measure of something.'
Modicum is one of those words that's rarely used alone—you almost always hear 'a modicum of' something, making it grammatically glued to the indefinite article in English usage.
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