# modi

/ˈmoʊdi/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/modi
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. ways of doing things

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

the plural of 'modus', meaning ways or methods of doing something.

For teachers: The plural form of 'modus', referring to methods, manners, or ways of operating.

- The researchers studied the different modi of communication used by the tribes.
- The legal team examined the various modi operandi employed by the suspects to identify a recurring pattern in their activities.

Usage: Usually appears in the Latin phrase 'modi operandi' (ways of operating).

### 2. musical scales

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

different types of musical scales used in ancient or church music.

For teachers: The plural of 'modus' in a musical context, referring to the melodic modes used in Gregorian chant or early music theory.

- The composer used ancient modi to give the piece a haunting, old-fashioned sound.
- Scholars of medieval musicology often debate the precise tuning and emotional characteristics attributed to the various modi in liturgical chant.

### 3. the Modi script

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a historical alphabet once used to write the Marathi language in India.

For teachers: A cursive script used for writing the Marathi language from the 12th century until the mid-20th century.

- The historian spent years learning to read old documents written in Modi.
- The transition from the Modi script to Balbodh Devanagari significantly altered the archival accessibility of Maratha administrative records for modern readers.

## Examples

- The software supports several different modi of operation.
- The committee identified three distinct modi of communication used by the team during the crisis.
- By analyzing the various modi of artistic expression prevalent in the decade, the historian was able to map the shifting cultural priorities of the era.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.