1
[ noun ] the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

Examples

: "it was beneath his dignity to cheat" "showed his true dignity when under pressure"

Used in print

(Chicago Daily Tribune...)

Nikolai_Cherkasov , the Russian actor who has played such heroic roles as Alexander_Nevsky and Ivan_the_Terrible , performs the lanky Don_Quixote , and does so with a simple dignity that bridges the inner nobility and the surface absurdity of this poignant man .

Though his character is broader and more comically rounded than the don , he gives it a firmness and toughness - a sort_of peasant dignity - too .

(Tristram P. Coffin, "Folklore in the American Twentieth...)

Robert_E._Lee represented the dignity needed by a rebelling confederacy .

(Howard Nemerov, "Themes and Methods: The Early...)

Professionally a lawyer , that_is_to_say associated with dignity , reserve , discipline , with much that is essentially middle-class , he is compelled by an impossible love to exhibit himself dressed_up , disguised - that_is , paradoxically , revealed - as a child , and , worse , as a whore masquerading as a child .

(John Michael Ray, "Rhode Island's Reactions...)

The Providence_Daily_Journal , however , stated that Brown 's courage , bravery , and heroism `` in a good cause would make a man a martyr ; it gives something of dignity even to a bad one '' .

Related terms

pride ennoble

2
[ noun ] formality in bearing and appearance

Synonyms

gravitas lordliness

Examples

: "he behaved with great dignity"

Used in print

(Sallie Bingham, "Moving Day," The Atlantic...)

She had had a dignity about her , even barefoot and almost too tan .

Related terms

bearing

3
[ noun ] high office or rank or station

Examples

: "he respected the dignity of the emissaries"

Related terms

status

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