English Dictionary: decency | by the DICT Development Group |
2 results for decency | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Decency \De"cen*cy\, n.; pl. {Decencies}. [L. decentia, fr. decens: cf. F. d[82]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. Observances of time, place, and of decency in general. --Burke. Immodest words admit of no defense, For want of decency is want of sense. --Roscommon. 2. That which is proper or becoming. The external decencies of worship. --Atterbury. Those thousand decencies, that daily flow From all her words and actions. --Milton. |