'Dignity' definitions:
Definition of 'dignity'
(from WordNet)
noun
The quality of being worthy of esteem or respect; "it was beneath his dignity to cheat"; "showed his true dignity when under pressure" [syn: dignity, self-respect, self-regard, self-worth]
noun
Formality in bearing and appearance; "he behaved with great dignity" [syn: dignity, lordliness, gravitas]
noun
High office or rank or station; "he respected the dignity of the emissaries"
Definition of 'Dignity'
From: GCIDE
- Dignity \Dig"ni*ty\, n.; pl. Dignities. [OE. dignete, dignite, OF. dignet['e], dignit['e], F. dignit['e], fr. L. dignitas, from dignus worthy. See Dainty, Deign.]
- 1. The state of being worthy or honorable; elevation of mind or character; true worth; excellence. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Elevation; grandeur. [1913 Webster]
- The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 3. Elevated rank; honorable station; high office, political or ecclesiastical; degree of excellence; preferment; exaltation. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
- And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? --Esth. vi. 3. [1913 Webster]
- Reuben, thou art my firstborn, . . . the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power. --Gen. xlix. 3. [1913 Webster]
- 4. Quality suited to inspire respect or reverence; loftiness and grace; impressiveness; stateliness; -- said of mien, manner, style, etc. [1913 Webster]
- A letter written with singular energy and dignity of thought and language. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
- 5. One holding high rank; a dignitary. [1913 Webster]
- These filthy dreamers . . . speak evil of dignities. --Jude. 8. [1913 Webster]
- 6. Fundamental principle; axiom; maxim. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- Sciences concluding from dignities, and principles known by themselves. --Sir T. Browne.
- Syn: See Decorum. [1913 Webster]
- To stand upon one's dignity, to have or to affect a high notion of one's own rank, privilege, or character. [1913 Webster]
- They did not stand upon their dignity, nor give their minds to being or to seeming as elegant and as fine as anybody else. --R. G. White. [1913 Webster]