# dignity

Pronunciation: say "DIG-ni-tee" /ˈdɪɡnɪti/

## Noun

1. The state of being worthy of esteem, marked by elevation of mind or character.
   - Simple: The quality of being worthy of respect because of how you act or think.
   - _He carried himself with quiet dignity throughout the long trial._
   - _The refugees insisted on preserving their dignity despite the harsh conditions._
2. Composed formality and stateliness in manner, as suited to a solemn or important occasion.
   - Simple: Calm, serious behavior that fits a formal or important occasion.
   - _The state funeral proceeded with solemn dignity._
   - _There was a quiet dignity in the way the elderly couple moved through the room._
3. A high office, rank, or station of honor.
   - Simple: A high position or rank, such as an important job or title.
   - _He was elevated to the dignity of cardinal at a young age._
   - _The office carried with it great dignity and heavy responsibility._
4. A person who holds high rank; a dignitary.
   - Simple: An important person who holds a high rank.
   - _Every dignity of the church walked in the procession behind the archbishop._
   - _Foreign dignities gathered for the coronation._

## Noun

5. A fundamental principle, axiom, or self-evident maxim. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A basic rule or truth that needs no proof.

## Origin

Dignity was inherited from Middle English "dignyte", from Old French "dignité", from Latin "dignitās" (worthiness, merit, grandeur, rank), which comes from "dignus" (worthy, appropriate). It is related to "deign" and a doublet of "dainty", and in this sense it displaced the native Old English "weorþsċipe", which became "worship".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/dignity (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).