Etymology : Middle English dignete, from Old French digneté, from Latin dignitat-, dignitas, from dignus
Pronunciation : 'dig-n&-tE
Function : noun
Date : 13th century
1. respected position, nobility; honor. dignity\dig"ni*ty\ , n.; pl. dignities (#). [oe. dignete, dignite, of. digneté, dignité, f. dignité, fr. l. dignitas, from dignus worthy. see:
dainty, deign.].
2. the state of being worthy or honorable; elevation of mind or character; true worth; excellence.
3. elevation; grandeur. the dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings.
4. elevated rank; honorable station; high office, political or ecclesiastical; degree of excellence; preferment; exaltation. and the king said, what honor and dignity hath been done to mordecai for this? vi.
5. reuben, thou art my firstborn, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power. xlix.
6. 4. quality suited to inspire respect or reverence; loftiness and grace; impressiveness; stateliness; -- said of mien, manner, style, etc. a letter written with singular energy and dignity of thought and language.
7. one holding high rank; a dignitary. these filthy dreamers speak evil of dignities. --jude.
8. 6. fundamental principle; axiom; maxim. [obs.] sciences concluding from dignities, and principles known by themselves. t. browne.
9. The state of being worthy or honorable; elevation of mind or character; true worth; excellence.
10. Elevation; grandeur.
11. Elevated rank; honorable station; high office, political or ecclesiastical; degree of excellence; preferment; exaltation.
12. Quality suited to inspire respect or reverence; loftiness and grace; impressiveness; stateliness; said of mien, manner, style, etc.
13. One holding high rank; a dignitary.
14. Fundamental principle; axiom; maxim. the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect; "it was beneath his dignity to cheat"; "showed his true dignity when under pressure" formality in bearing and appearance; "he behaved with great dignity" high office or rank or station; "he respected the dignity of the emissaries".
15. 1. If someone behaves or moves with dignity, they are calm, controlled, and admirable. her extraordinary dignity and composure. = poise.
16. If you talk about the dignity of people or their lives or activities, you mean that they are valuable and worthy of respect. the sense of human dignity.
17. Your dignity is the sense that you have of your own importance and value, and other people's respect for you. She still has her dignity. = self-respect.