indecency

[in-dee-suhn-see]

noun

plural

indecencies 

1. the quality or condition of being indecent.

2. impropriety or immodesty.

3. obscenity or indelicacy.

4. an indecent act, remark, etc.

indecency

/ ɪnˈdiːsənsɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being indecent

2. an indecent act, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of indecency¹

From the Latin word indecentia, dating back to 1580–90. See indecent, -ency

Example Sentences

The British Library has honoured late Irish writer Oscar Wilde by reissuing a reader's card in his name, 130 years after his original was revoked following his conviction for "gross indecency".

Read more on BBC

But the Parents Television Council Inc. — whose members lodged thousands of indecency complaints with the Federal Communications Commission — has folded.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As Mr. Clark reveals, however, in 1942 Cooper was arrested and put on trial for committing “gross indecency with an Arab boy,” a charge from which he narrowly escaped.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Court records show that Carver faces counts of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and public indecency.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They would face possible arrest and imprisonment for “gross indecency” under the country’s antigay criminal code.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• drunkenness www.thesaurus.com
• impropriety