1539, "proper to one's station or rank," also "tasteful," from M.Fr. decent, from L. decentem (nom. decens, gen. decentis), prp. of decere "to be fitting or suitable," from PIE *deke-, from base *dek- "to take, accept, to receive, greet, be suitable" (cf. Gk. dokein "to appear, seem, think," dekhesthai "to accept;" Skt. dacasyati "shows honor, is gracious," dacati "makes offerings, bestows"). Meaning "kind, pleasant" is from 1902. Decency is 1567 in sense of "appropriateness," 1639 in sense of "modesty." Are you decent? (1949) was originally backstage theater jargon for "are you dressed."
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous; "from a decent family"; "a nice girl"
2.
according with custom or propriety; "her becoming modesty"; "comely behavior"; "it is not comme il faut for a gentleman to be constantly asking for money"; "a decent burial"; "seemly behavior" [syn: becoming]
3.
conforming to conventions of sexual behavior; "speech in this circle, if not always decent, never became lewd"- George Santayana [ant: indecent]
4.
sufficient for the purpose; "an adequate income"; "the food was adequate"; "a decent wage"; "enough food"; "food enough" [syn: adequate]
5.
decently clothed; "are you decent?"
6.
observing conventional sexual mores in speech or behavior or dress; "a modest neckline in her dress"; "though one of her shoulder straps had slipped down, she was perfectly decent by current standards"
adverb
1.
in the right manner; "please do your job properly!"; "can't you carry me decent?" [syn: properly] [ant: improperly]
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 discourse; proper formality; becoming ceremony; seemliness; hence, freedom from obscenity or indecorum; modesty. Observances of time, place, and of decency in general. --Burke. Immodest words admit of no defense, For want of decency is want of sense. --Roscommon. 2. That which is proper or becoming. The external decencies of worship. --Atterbury. Those thousand decencies, that daily flow From all her words and actions. --Milton.
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