Humble

This word is defined by the AHD as, "Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attidude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful."

According to the AHD, "humble" came through Old French from the Latin humus which means "ground."

I've always loved this word. As a child I had no idea what it meant, but it had a majestic, and somewhat mysterious, quality to it. I think I gave a connotation of power or greatness into the word, because I only heard the word in reference to Jesus in church. I guess I still give it that connotation. Being humbled is priceless, and being humble is a characteristic worth striving for.