decency

  • 1Decency — 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… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2Decency — 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

  • 3decency — 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

  • 4decency — index clemency, decorum, propriety (correctness) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …

    Law dictionary

  • 5decency — *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

  • 6decency — [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

  • 7decency — ► NOUN (pl. decencies) 1) decent behaviour. 2) (decencies) standards of propriety …

    English terms dictionary

  • 8decency — [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

  • 9decency — 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

  • 10decency — 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