rectitude

[ rek-ti-tood, -tyood ]

/ ˈrɛk tɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rectitude ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

rightness of principle or conduct; moral virtue: the rectitude of her motives.

correctness: rectitude of judgment.

straightness.

Nearby words

Origin of rectitude

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French < Late Latin rēctitūdin- (stem of rēctitūdō) straightness, equivalent to Latin rēct(us) right + -tūdin- -tude

SYNONYMS FOR rectitude

1. integrity, probity, principle.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rectitude ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rectitude

Maybe it is his own reputation for rectitude, a reputation buttressed by the lack of scandals in his administration.
Lousy Economy Won't Sink Obama|Peter Beinart|June 6, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Hopefully, their rectitude will persist into 2012 and 2013, when deficit reduction will be of growing importance.
Reboot America—Manifesto Support Surges|The Daily Beast|July 20, 2010|DAILY BEAST
He knew Richardson, his fellow Bay Stater, was a man of rectitude who would never, ever betray his trust with Cox.
How Kennedy Brought Down Nixon|Chris Matthews|September 13, 2009|DAILY BEAST
I recognize it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude, and resolve.
Obama's Egypt Address|The Daily Beast Video|June 4, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Without this there can be no detection of the real difference, and no assurance of the rectitude of the discrimination we make.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Philippians|Robert Rainy
What object have I, here and now, and everywhere and always, next to the rectitude of my own soul?
The Romance Of Giovanni Calvotti|David Christie Murray
And children would have been born in original righteousness and rectitude.
Commentary on Genesis, Vol. I|Martin Luther
And so, in his benignity, as in his rectitude and lowliness and purity, he stood in this address attired in Godly piety.
Abraham Lincoln's Cardinal Traits;|Clark S. Beardslee
The habit of rectitude would cover him like armor, and proclaim him still of a chivalry to which he felt recreant.
The Indian On The Trail|Mary Hartwell Catherwood

British Dictionary definitions for rectitude

rectitude

/ (ˈrɛktɪˌtjuːd) /

noun

moral or religious correctness

correctness of judgment

Word Origin for rectitude

C15: from Late Latin rectitūdō, from Latin rectus right, straight, from regere to rule

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for rectitude

rectitude

early 15c., "quality of being straight," from Middle French rectitude (14c.), from Late Latin rectitudinem (nominative rectitudo) "straightness, uprightness," from Latin rectus "straight" (see right (adj.1)). Sense of "upright in conduct or character" is from 1530s.

rectitude

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of rectitude

Examples from the Web for rectitude

rectitude

noun

Word Origin for rectitude

rectitude