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Dignity - 4 dictionary results

dig⋅ni⋅ty

  [dig-ni-tee]
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–noun, plural -ties.
1. bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation.
2. nobility or elevation of character; worthiness: dignity of sentiments.
3. elevated rank, office, station, etc.
4. relative standing; rank.
5. a sign or token of respect: an impertinent question unworthy of the dignity of an answer.
6. Archaic.
a. person of high rank or title.
b. such persons collectively.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME dignite < AF, OF < L dignitās worthiness, equiv. to dign(us) worthy + -itās -ity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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dig·ni·ty   (dĭg'nĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. dig·ni·ties
  1. The quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect.
  2. Inherent nobility and worth: the dignity of honest labor.
    1. Poise and self-respect.
    2. Stateliness and formality in manner and appearance.
  4. The respect and honor associated with an important position.
  5. A high office or rank.
  6. dignities The ceremonial symbols and observances attached to high office.
  7. Archaic A dignitary.

[Middle English dignite, from Old French, from Latin dignitās, from dignus, worthy; see dek- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Dignity

Dig"ni*ty\, n.; pl. Dignities. [OE. dignete, dignite, OF. dignet['e], dignit['e], F. dignit['e], fr. L. dignitas, from dignus worthy. See Dainty, Deign.]

1. The state of being worthy or honorable; elevation of mind or character; true worth; excellence.

2. Elevation; grandeur.

The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings. --Shak.

3. Elevated rank; honorable station; high office, political or ecclesiastical; degree of excellence; preferment; exaltation. --Macaulay.

And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? --Esth. vi. 3.

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, . . . the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power. --Gen. xlix. 3.

4. Quality suited to inspire respect or reverence; loftiness and grace; impressiveness; stateliness; -- said of ??en, manner, style, etc.

A letter written with singular energy and dignity of thought ??d language. --Macaulay.

5. One holding high rank; a dignitary.

These filthy dreamers . . . speak evil of dignities. --Jude. 8.

6. Fundamental principle; axiom; maxim. [Obs.]

Sciences concluding from dignities, and principles known by themselves. --Sir T. Browne.

Syn: See Decorum.

To stand upon one's dignity, to have or to affect a high notion of one's own rank, privilege, or character.

They did not stand upon their dignity, nor give their minds to being or to seeming as elegant and as fine as anybody else. --R. G. White.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : Dignity
Spanish: dignidad,
German: die Würde,
Japanese: 威厳
More Translations »

dignity 
c.1225, from O.Fr. dignete, from L. dignitatem (nom. dignitas) "worthiness," from dignus "worth (n.), worthy, proper, fitting" from PIE *dek-no-, from base *dek- "to take, accept" (see decent). Dignitary is first recorded 1672.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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