The word "modality" refers to a particular mode or way of doing something, often relating to methods of expression or forms of communication. In a broader sense, it can refer to the manner in which information is conveyed or experienced. In fields like linguistics, psychology, and medicine, modality can specify the level of necessity or possibility associated with an event or statement.
The word "modality" comes from the Latin "modality," derived from "modus," meaning "measure" or "manner." The term developed through Middle French before becoming established in English.