Modular
/ˈmɒdʒ.ʊ.lər/noun
Relating to a system made of separate parts that can be combined or arranged in different ways.
Did you know?Its deepest root is Latin *modus*, meaning “measure” or “proper limit,” a word that helped shape ideas of rhythm, method, and even the way the Romans thought order could be imposed on chaos.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*med-
“to measure, take appropriate action”
Latin
Latin
modus
“measure, manner, limit, due proportion”
Late Latin
Latin
modulus
“a small measure, standard, or little pattern”
Middle French
Old French
modulaire
“having a modular form or relating to a module”
17th Century
English
modular
“pertaining to a module or standard unit”
Modern English
English
modular
“made of standardized units that can be combined or rearranged”