| / English Dictionary |
DIGNITY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
Example:
showed his true dignity when under pressure
Synonyms:
dignity; self-regard; self-respect; self-worth
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("dignity" is a kind of...):
pride; pridefulness (a feeling of self-respect and personal worth)
Derivation:
dignify (confer dignity or honor upon)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Formality in bearing and appearance
Example:
he behaved with great dignity
Synonyms:
dignity; gravitas; lordliness
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("dignity" is a kind of...):
bearing; comportment; mien; presence (dignified manner or conduct)
Sense 3
Meaning:
High office or rank or station
Example:
he respected the dignity of the emissaries
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Hypernyms ("dignity" is a kind of...):
position; status (the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society)
Context examples:
After a short pause Sir Thomas added with dignity, Yes, let her home be in this house.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
The firelight played over her features, and Alleyne thought that he had never seen such queenly power, such dignity and strength, upon a woman's face.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Even at school he was the same, with such a sense of his own dignity, that other folk had to think of it too.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
With his notions of dignity, he would probably feel that the arguments, which to Elizabeth had appeared weak and ridiculous, contained much good sense and solid reasoning.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
The goal of the care is to help people who are dying have peace, comfort, and dignity.
(Hospice Care, NIH: National Cancer Institute)
It’s not ideal from a dignity perspective, but the evidence is it’s better to wash your hands with laundry water than not wash your hands.
(Slightly dirty water ‘still ok’ against coronavirus, SciDev.Net)
Stanley Hopkins had laid his hand upon her arm and claimed her as his prisoner, but she waved him aside gently, and yet with an over-mastering dignity which compelled obedience.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
He turned upon me with dignity, and addressed me as equal addresses equal.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
It is hard to maintain one’s dignity under such circumstances.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
He was not even on his dignity.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
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