adjective
- relating to, dealing with, or capable of making the distinction between right and wrong in conduct
- relating to, serving to teach, or in accordance with the principles of right and wrong
- good or right in conduct or character; sometimes, specif., virtuous in sexual conduct
- designating support, etc. that involves approval and sympathy without action
- being virtually such because of its effect on thoughts, attitudes, etc., or because of its general results: a moral victory
- based on strong probability: a moral certainty
- based on the principle of right conduct rather than legality: a moral obligation
- Law based on general observation of people, on analogy, etc. rather than on what is demonstrable: moral evidence
Origin:
ME < L moralis, of manners or customs < mos (gen. moris), pl. mores, manners, morals (see mood): used by Cicero as transl. of Gr ēthikos