rectitude

[rek-ti-tood, -tyood]

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.

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

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1. integrity, probity, principle.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for rectitude

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
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

Historical Examples

We cannot help remarking the danger of the least deviation from the path of rectitude.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I
Francis Augustus Cox
Doubtless he spoke like this in order that his rectitude might not be called in question.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
He feels that truth is the “summit of being,” and the soul of rectitude in human affairs.
Self-Help
Samuel Smiles
Through them all she was sustained by the consciousness of her rectitude.
Imogen
William Godwin
Rectitude, courage and unflinching truth were Holcroft's ideal.
Shelley, Godwin and Their Circle
H. N. Brailsford

British Dictionary definitions for rectitude

rectitude

noun

moral or religious correctness
correctness of judgment

Word Origin

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

n.

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

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}rectitude

Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for rectitude

Contemporary Examples

Maybe it is his own reputation for rectitude, a reputation buttressed by the lack of scandals in his administration.

Hopefully, their rectitude will persist into 2012 and 2013, when deficit reduction will be of growing importance.

He knew Richardson, his fellow Bay Stater, was a man of rectitude who would never, ever betray his trust with Cox.

I recognize it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude, and resolve.

Historical Examples

We cannot help remarking the danger of the least deviation from the path of rectitude.

Doubtless he spoke like this in order that his rectitude might not be called in question.

He feels that truth is the “summit of being,” and the soul of rectitude in human affairs.

Through them all she was sustained by the consciousness of her rectitude.

Rectitude, courage and unflinching truth were Holcroft's ideal.

rectitude

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for rectitude

n.

Origin of rectitude