An example of dignity is the respect paid to an elder member in the family.
- 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 dignityMiddle English and amp; 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
- 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 dignityMiddle English dignite, from Old French, from Latin dignit&amacron;s, from dignus, worthy; see dek- in Indo-European roots.
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.