01 n. The state of being worthy or honorable; elevation of mind or character; true worth; excellence.
pl.
Dignities ((#))
-
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.“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 mien, manner, style, etc.“A letter written with singular energy and dignity of thought and 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.“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.
Phrases & compounds
To stand upon one's dignity —
to have or to affect a high notion of one's own rank, privilege, or character.
Syn.
See Decorum.