- Dignities
- 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.
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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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
