modicum
Just a trace
A modicum is a small amount of something: a modicum of respect, a modicum of common sense.
The word appears almost exclusively in this construction—"a modicum of"—and usually refers to abstract qualities rather than physical quantities.
It often implies barely enough: If he had a modicum of decency, he'd apologize.
Very small quantity
Barely adequate amount
- meagerDeficient in quantity
- paltryContemptibly meager
- sparseThinly scattered or distributed
- limitedRestricted in extent
minimal · insufficient · negligible · pittance · bare minimum · hint · touch · glimmer
smidgen
Very small quantity
dab · pinch · drop · tad · scrap · shred · crumb · mite · whit · particle
scant
Barely adequate amount
limited · minimal · insufficient · negligible · pittance · bare minimum · hint · touch · glimmer · whisper
measure
Unit of quantity
decorum · decency · civility · dignity · self-control · propriety · respect · discretion · tact · temperance