Decency

Decency
Decency De"cen*cy, n.; pl. {Decencies}. [L. decentia, fr. decens: cf. F. d['e]cence. See {Decent}.] 1. The quality or state of being decent, suitable, or becoming, in words or behavior; propriety of form in social intercourse, in actions, or in discourse; proper formality; becoming ceremony; seemliness; hence, freedom from obscenity or indecorum; modesty. [1913 Webster]

Observances of time, place, and of decency in general. --Burke. [1913 Webster]

Immodest words admit of no defense, For want of decency is want of sense. --Roscommon. [1913 Webster]

2. That which is proper or becoming. [1913 Webster]

The external decencies of worship. --Atterbury. [1913 Webster]

Those thousand decencies, that daily flow From all her words and actions. --Milton. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Decency — is the quality or state of conforming to social or moral standards of taste and propriety. See also Taste (sociology) Communications Decency Act Public indecency Indecent exposure Sodomy law Norm (sociology) Grotesque body National Legion of… …   Wikipedia

  • decency — 1560s, appropriateness, from L. decentia comeliness, decency, from decentem becoming, fitting (see DECENT (Cf. decent)). Meaning modesty (i.e. appropriateness to standards of society ) is from 1630s …   Etymology dictionary

  • decency — index clemency, decorum, propriety (correctness) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • decency — *decorum, propriety, dignity, etiquette Analogous words: seemliness, decorousness (see corresponding adjectives at DECOROUS): fitness, suitability, fittingness, appropriateness (see corresponding adjectives at FIT) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • decency — [n] respectable behavior appropriateness, ceremoniousness, civility, conventionality, correctness, courtesy, decorum, dignity, etiquette, fitness, fittingness, formality, good form, good manners, honesty, modesty, propriety, respectability,… …   New thesaurus

  • decency — ► NOUN (pl. decencies) 1) decent behaviour. 2) (decencies) standards of propriety …   English terms dictionary

  • decency — [dē′sən sē] n. pl. decencies [L decentia < decens: see DECENT] 1. the quality or condition of being decent; propriety of conduct and speech; proper behavior, modesty, courtesy, etc. 2. [pl.] socially proper actions; the proprieties 3. [pl.]… …   English World dictionary

  • decency — n. 1) common decency 2) the decency to + inf. (he didn t even have the decency to call) 3) (misc.) to observe the decencies; a spark of decency * * * [ diːs(ə)nsɪ] a spark of decency (misc.) to observe the decencyies common decency the decency to …   Combinatory dictionary

  • decency — noun (U) 1 a quality in someone s character that makes them honest and polite and makes them have respect for other people: a judgement that reflects the decency and good sense of the American people 2 acceptable behaviour, especially moral and… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • decency — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ common, human ▪ a lack of common decency ▪ basic, simple ▪ moral ▪ pub …   Collocations dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

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