dignity

dig·ni·ty

Use dignity in a sentence

noun

Dignity is defined as the personal quality of being worthy of honor.

An example of dignity is the respect paid to an elder member in the family.

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MLA Style

"dignity." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Dignity>.

APA Style

dignity. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Dignity

dignity

noun

pl. -·ties

the quality of being worthy of esteem or honor; worthiness
high repute; honor
the degree of worth, repute, or honor
a high position, rank, or title
loftiness of appearance or manner; stateliness
proper pride and self-respect
Archaic a dignitary

Origin of dignity

Middle English and Old French dignite from Classical Latin dignitas, worth, merit from dignus, worthy from Indo-European base an unverified form dek-, to receive, be fitting from source decor, docile

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"dignity." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Dignity>.

APA Style

dignity. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Dignity

dignity

noun

pl. dig·ni·ties

The quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect.
Inherent nobility and worth: the dignity of honest labor.
a. Poise and self-respect.
b. Stateliness and formality in manner and appearance.
The respect and honor associated with an important position.
A high office or rank.
dignities The ceremonial symbols and observances attached to high office.
Archaic A dignitary.

Origin of dignity

Middle English dignite from Old French from Latin dignitās from dignus worthy ; see dek- in Indo-European roots.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"dignity." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Dignity>.

APA Style

dignity. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Dignity

Noun

(plural dignities)

A quality or state worthy of esteem and respect.
Decorum, formality, stateliness.
High office, rank, or station.
One holding high rank; a dignitary.

Related terms

Origin

From Middle English dignitee, from Old French dignite, from Latin dignitas (“worthiness, merit, dignity, grandeur, authority, rank, office”), from dignus (“worthy, appropriate”), from Proto-Indo-European *deḱ-no, from *deḱ- (“to take”), same source as decus (“honor, esteem”) and decet (“it is fitting”). Cognate to deign.