dig·ni·ty

[dig-ni-tee]
noun, plural dig·ni·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; Middle English dignite < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin dignitās worthiness, equivalent to dign(us) worthy + -itās -ity

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To dignity
00:10
Dignity 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 children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Collins
World English Dictionary
dignity (ˈdɪɡnɪtɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -ties
1.  a formal, stately, or grave bearing: he entered with dignity
2.  the state or quality of being worthy of honour: the dignity of manual labour
3.  relative importance; rank: he is next in dignity to the mayor
4.  sense of self-importance (often in the phrases stand (or be) on one's dignity, beneath one's dignity)
5.  high rank, esp in government or the church
6.  a person of high rank or such persons collectively
 
[C13: from Old French dignite, from Latin dignitās merit, from dignus worthy]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

dignity
early 13c., 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).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
He was of handsome form, comely in countenance, with an aspect of gravity and
  dignity and majesty and stateliness.
And these feelings are intrinsically woven in with a sense of dignity.
And the atmosphere of intellectual squalor in which the salaried writer
  operates would offend his dignity.
It is in everyone's best interest to treat all applicants with dignity,
  respect, and timely communications.
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