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ethical

[eth-i-kuhl]

Origin

adjective

pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct.

being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession: It was not considered ethical for physicians to advertise.

(of drugs) sold only upon medical prescription.

Origin:
1600–10; ethic + -al¹

Related forms

eth·i·cal·ly, adverb

eth·i·cal·i·ty, eth·i·cal·ness, noun

hy·per·eth·i·cal, adjective

hy·per·eth·i·cal·ly, adverb

non·eth·i·cal, adjective

EXPAND

non·eth·i·cal·ly, adverb

non·eth·i·cal·ness, noun

pseu·do·eth·i·cal, adjective

pseu·do·eth·i·cal·ly, adverb

su·per·eth·i·cal, adjective

su·per·eth·i·cal·ly, adverb

un·eth·i·cal, adjective

COLLAPSE

Synonyms
2. moral, upright, honest, righteous, virtuous, honorable.

Antonyms
2. immoral.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To ETHICAL

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Ethical is always a great word to know.

So is quincunx. Does it mean:

an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.

a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

ethical (ˈɛθɪk^əl)

—*adj*
1.	in accordance with principles of conduct that are considered correct, esp those of a given profession or group
2.	of or relating to ethics
3.	(of a medicinal agent) available legally only with a doctor's prescription or consent

'ethically

—*adv*

'ethicalness

—n

ethi'cality

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

ethical

c.1600, from ethic + -al. Related: Ethicality; ethically.

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

ethical eth·i·cal (ěth'ĭ-kəl)
adj.

Of, relating to, or dealing with ethics.
Being in accordance with the accepted principles of right and wrong that govern the conduct of a profession.

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