decentness

1 definition found

decentness - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  decent \de"cent\ (d[=e]"sent), a. [L. decens, decentis, p. pr.
     of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory,
     honor, ornament, Gr. dokei^n to seem good, to seem, think;
     cf. Skr. d[=a][,c] to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E.
     attire, tire: cf. F. d['e]cent. Cf. Decorate, Decorum,
     Deign.]
     1. Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming;
        fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent
        language. --Shak.
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              Before his decent steps.              --Milton.
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     2. Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest.
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     3. Comely; shapely; well-formed. [Archaic]
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              A sable stole of cyprus lawn
              Over thy decent shoulders drawn.      --Milton.
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              By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed. --Pope.
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     4. Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable;
        fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a
        decent fortune; a decent person.
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              A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs.
                                                    --Burke.
        -- De"cent*ly, adv. -- De"cent*ness, n.
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