The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.]
The state of being worthy or honorable; elevation of mind or character; true worth; excellence.
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Elevation; grandeur.
The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings.
--Shak. -
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. -
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. -
One holding high rank; a dignitary.
These filthy dreamers . . . speak evil of dignities.
--Jude. 8. -
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.
Wiktionary
n. (plural of dignity English)
Usage examples of "dignities".
It is not improbable that some of those persons who were raised to the dignities of the empire, might have imbibed the prejudices of the populace, and that the cruel disposition of others might occasionally be stimulated by motives of avarice or of personal resentment.
After the removal of Olympius, whose character was deeply tainted with religious fanaticism, the Pagans and heretics were delivered from the impolitic proscription, which excluded them from the dignities of the state.
This splendid alliance, which might supersede the necessity of merit, hastened the promotion of Anthemius to the successive dignities of count, of master-general, of consul, and of patrician.
The glamorous trappings, the little dignities and privileges that went with his position had been brutally torn aside to show him the ugly mechanics underneath.
Even with the basic dignities of food, shelter, clothing, and education guaranteed, the appetite of the have-not was continually whetted by the abundance that was not his.
Even with the basic dignities of food, shelter, clothing and education guaranteed, the appetite of the have-not was continually whetted by the abundance that was not his.
His negligent wave took in the whole room, not just the high dignities patiently awaiting the dissolution of the reception line.
Larad and Asgenar had been fosterlings at the Hold of Lord Corman of Keroon, though Larad had been elected earlier to his dignities than Asgenar.
Those who have succeeded in procuring this admirable materialism have the joy of feeling themselves irresponsible, and of thinking that they can devour everything without uneasiness, -- places, sinecures, dignities, power, whether well or ill acquired, lucrative recantations, useful treacheries, savory capitulations of conscience, -- and that they shall enter the tomb with their digestion accomplished.