modest vs proper

modest

adj
  • Pure and delicate from a sense of propriety. 

  • Intending to avoid the encouraging of sexual attraction in others. 

  • Not bragging or boasting about oneself or one's achievements; unpretentious, humble. 

  • Small, moderate in size. 

proper

adj
  • Following the established standards of behavior or manners; correct or decorous. 

  • Suited or acceptable to the purpose or circumstances; fit, suitable. 

  • Eigen-; designating a function or value which is an eigenfunction or eigenvalue. 

  • Belonging to oneself or itself; own. 

  • Being strictly part of some other thing (not necessarily explicitly mentioned, but of definitional importance), and not being the thing itself. 

  • In the strict sense; within the strict definition or core (of a specified place, taxonomic order, idea, etc). 

  • Used to designate a particular person, place, or thing. Proper nouns are usually written with an initial capital letter. 

  • Pertaining exclusively to a specific thing or person; particular. 

  • Excellent, of high quality; such as the specific person or thing should ideally be. (Now often merged with later senses.) 

  • Attractive, elegant. 

  • In the very strictest sense of the word. 

  • Portrayed in natural or usual coloration, as opposed to conventional tinctures. 

  • Utter, complete. 

noun
  • A part of the Christian liturgy that varies according to the date. 

adv
  • properly; thoroughly; completely. 

  • properly. 

How often have the words modest and proper occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )