decency
/ˈdiːs(ə)nsi
/noun (plural decencies)
1 [mass noun] Behaviour that conforms to accepted standards of morality or respectability: she had the decency to come and confess...
- It is all about keeping up standards of decency, having respect for women and setting a good example to children.
- But he has steadfastly refused to lower his high standards of morality and decency.
- An anarchic streak coexists with respect for decency and civility.
Synonyms
propriety, decorum, seemliness, good taste, respectability, dignity, correctness, good form, etiquette, appropriateness, appropriacy, fitness, suitability;
morality, virtue, modesty, purity, delicacy, demureness, wholesomeness
courtesy, politeness, good manners, civility, respect, respectfulness;
consideration, thought, thoughtfulness, tact, diplomacy
1.1Behaviour or appearance that avoids impropriety or immodesty: a loose dress, rather too low-cut for decency...
- Police are now investigating an alleged offence of outraging public decency.
- A jury of six men and six women took just an hour to decide that he was innocent of a charge of committing an act outraging public decency.
- Police have the power to take action against offenders for outraging public decency or indecent exposure.
1.2 (decencies) The requirements of accepted or respectable behaviour: an appeal to common decencies...
- Still, those of us who believe in the importance of fundamental human rights and decencies have reasons aplenty for optimism.
- What can politics do when a growing number of families fail to teach their children a set of common decencies?
- One would naturally expect a man in that situation to give some thought to the essential decencies - to devote himself to making sure, not of his immediate benefit, but of his ultimate reputation.
2 (decencies) Things required for a reasonable standard of life: I can’t afford any of the decencies of life...
- In fact, he is a nationalist who believes an independent Scotland is the only way to preserve the British decencies he grew up with - good housing, good health care and good libraries.
- Factory farming has no traditions, no rules, no codes of honor, no little decencies to spare for a fellow creature.
Origin
Mid 16th century (in the sense 'appropriateness, fitness'): from Latin decentia, from decent- 'being fitting' (see decent).