Decentness

Decentness
decent de"cent (d[=e]"sent), a. [L. decens, decentis, p. pr. of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory, honor, ornament, Gr. dokei^n to seem good, to seem, think; cf. Skr. d[=a][,c] to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E. attire, tire: cf. F. d['e]cent. Cf. {Decorate}, {Decorum}, {Deign}.] 1. Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming; fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent language. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Before his decent steps. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest. [1913 Webster]

3. Comely; shapely; well-formed. [Archaic] [1913 Webster]

A sable stole of cyprus lawn Over thy decent shoulders drawn. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

4. Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable; fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a decent fortune; a decent person. [1913 Webster]

A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs. --Burke. -- {De"cent*ly}, adv. -- {De"cent*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • decentness — See decently. * * * …   Universalium

  • decentness — noun The state or quality of being decent …   Wiktionary

  • decentness — (Roget s Thesaurus II) noun Conformity to recognized standards, as of conduct or appearance: comeliness, correctness, decency, decorousness, decorum, properness, propriety, respectability, respectableness, seemliness. See USUAL …   English dictionary for students

  • decentness — de·cent·ness …   English syllables

  • decentness — noun ( es) : the quality or state of being decent …   Useful english dictionary

  • decent — decently, adv. decentness, n. /dee seuhnt/, adj. 1. conforming to the recognized standard of propriety, good taste, modesty, etc., as in behavior or speech. 2. respectable; worthy: a decent family. 3. adequate; fair; passable: a decent wage. 4.… …   Universalium

  • decorum — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. decency; protocol. See agreement, fashion. II (Roget s IV) n. Syn. etiquette, propriety, dignity, seemliness, correctness, decency, decorousness, deportment, gentility, protocol, good form, good… …   English dictionary for students

  • propriety — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. decorum, conventionality, suitability; aptness, fitness; fastidiousness, becomingness, delicacy, decorum, seemliness; prudery. See agreement, expedience, fashion. II (Roget s IV) n. 1. [Suitability]… …   English dictionary for students

  • correctness — I (Roget s IV) n. 1. [Accuracy] Syn. precision, exactness, exactitude; see accuracy 2 , truth 1 . 2. [Propriety] Syn. decency, decorum, rightness; see fitness 1 , propriety 1 . II (Roget s Thesaurus II) noun 1. Freedom from error: accuracy,… …   English dictionary for students

  • decency — I (Roget s IV) n. Syn. decorum, propriety, seemliness, respectability; see behavior 1 , honesty 1 , propriety 1 , virtue 1 . See Synonym Study at decorum . II (Roget s 3 Superthesaurus) n. propriety, respectability, righteousness, seemliness,… …   English dictionary for students

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”