modal
1. (Of an interface) Having {mode}s. Modeless interfaces are
generally considered to be superior because the user does not
have to remember which mode he is in.
2. See {modal logic}.
3. In {MS Windows} programming, A window with the label
"WS_MODAL" will stay on the screen and claim all the
user-input. Other windows can only be accessed if the MODAL
window is closed. Such a window would typically be used for
an error {dialog box} to warn the user for something
important, like "Critical error, shut down the system and
restart".
(1995-02-07)