rectitude

[rek-ti-tood, -tyood]

noun

1. rightness of principle or conduct; moral virtue.

   the rectitude of her motives.

   Synonyms: principle, probity, integrity

2. correctness.

   rectitude of judgment.

3. straightness.

rectitude

/ ˈrɛktɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. moral or religious correctness

2. correctness of judgment

Word History and Origins

Origin of rectitude¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French rectitude, “honesty,” from Late Latin rēctitūdin- (stem of rēctitūdō “straightness, upright posture, honesty, justice”), equivalent to Latin rēct(us) right + -tūdin- -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of rectitude¹

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

Example Sentences

Burnham's smug sense of rectitude gets her superior officer killed.

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Germany’s budget crisis has given new momentum to reforming self-imposed borrowing limits even among the opposition conservatives, as hunger for sorely needed investment trumps an earlier political obsession with fiscal rectitude.

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Germany’s budget crisis has given new momentum to reforming self-imposed borrowing limits even among the opposition conservatives, as hunger for sorely needed investment trumps an earlier political obsession with fiscal rectitude.

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It was superb theatre, with the added benefit of moral rectitude.

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As a result of this independence and rectitude, Romney has become a pariah among his GOP Senate colleagues and a target of seething anger and threats of violence from his constituents.

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Related Words

• decency 
• honesty 
• integrity 
• morality 
• probity 
• righteousness