2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
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.
2. Elevation; grandeur.
The dignity of this act was worth the audience of
kings. --Shak.
3. Elevated rank; honorable station; high office, political
or ecclesiastical; degree of excellence; preferment;
exaltation. --Macaulay.
And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been
done to Mordecai for this? --Esth. vi. 3.
Reuben, thou art my firstborn, . . . the excellency
of dignity, and the excellency of power. --Gen.
xlix. 3.
4. Quality suited to inspire respect or reverence; loftiness
and grace; impressiveness; stateliness; -- said of ??en,
manner, style, etc.
A letter written with singular energy and dignity of
thought ??d language. --Macaulay.
5. 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. --Sir T.
Browne.
Syn: See {Decorum}.
{To stand upon one's dignity}, to have or to affect a high
notion of one's own rank, privilege, or character.
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.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
dignity
n 1: the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect; "it was
beneath his dignity to cheat"; "showed his true dignity
when under pressure" [syn: {self-respect}, {self-esteem},
{self-regard}]
2: formality in bearing and appearance; "he behaved with great
dignity" [syn: {lordliness}, {gravitas}]
3: high office or rank or station; "he respected the dignity of
the emissaries"