dignity
[ dig-ni-tee ]
/ ˈdɪg nɪ ti /
noun, plural dig·ni·ties.
bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation.
nobility or elevation of character; worthiness: dignity of sentiments.
elevated rank, office, station, etc.
relative standing; rank.
a sign or token of respect: an impertinent question unworthy of the dignity of an answer.
Archaic.
- person of high rank or title.
- such persons collectively.
Nearby words
diglycolic acid, digne, dignified, dignify, dignitary, dignity, digonal, digoneutic, digoxin, digram, digraph
Origin of dignity
1175–1225; Middle English dignite < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin dignitās worthiness, equivalent to dign(us) worthy + -itās -ity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for dignity
British Dictionary definitions for dignity
dignity
/ (ˈdɪɡnɪtɪ) /
noun plural -ties
a formal, stately, or grave bearinghe entered with dignity
the state or quality of being worthy of honourthe dignity of manual labour
relative importance; rankhe is next in dignity to the mayor
sense of self-importance (often in the phrases stand (or be) on one's dignity, beneath one's dignity)
high rank, esp in government or the church
a person of high rank or such persons collectively
Word Origin for dignity
C13: from Old French dignite, from Latin dignitās merit, from dignus worthy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for dignity
dignity
early 13c., from Old French dignite "dignity, privilege, honor," from Latin dignitatem (nominative dignitas) "worthiness," from dignus "worth (n.), worthy, proper, fitting" from PIE *dek-no-, from root *dek- "to take, accept" (see decent).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper