1. morality(n = noun.attribute) - concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct;
is a kind of quality
has particulars: righteousness, rightness, conscience, good, goodness, chastity, sexual morality, virtue
Antonym: immorality
Derived forms adjective moral1, adjective moralistic1
2. morality(n = noun.motive) ethical motive, ethics, morals - motivation based on ideas of right and wrong;
is a kind of motivation, motive, need
has particulars: hedonism, conscience, moral sense, scruples, sense of right and wrong, christ within, inner light, light, light within
Derived form adjective moralistic1
1. The relation of conformity or nonconformity to the moral standard or rule; quality of an intention, a character, an action, a principle, or a sentiment, when tried by the standard of right. [1913 Webster]
"The morality of an action is founded in the freedom of that principle, by virtue of which it is in the agent's power, having all things ready and requisite to the performance of an action, either to perform or not perform it." [1913 Webster]
2. The quality of an action which renders it good; the conformity of an act to the accepted standard of right. [1913 Webster]
"Of moralitee he was the flower." [1913 Webster]
"I am bold to think that morality is capable of demonstration." [1913 Webster]
3. The doctrines or rules of moral duties, or the duties of men in their social character; ethics. [1913 Webster]
"The end of morality is to procure the affections to obey reason, and not to invade it." [1913 Webster]
"The system of morality to be gathered out of . . . ancient sages falls very short of that delivered in the gospel." [1913 Webster]
4. The practice of the moral duties; rectitude of life; conformity to the standard of right; virtue; as, we often admire the politeness of men whose morality we question. [1913 Webster]
5. A kind of allegorical play, so termed because it consisted of discourses in praise of morality between actors representing such characters as Charity, Faith, Death, Vice, etc. Such plays were occasionally exhibited as late as the reign of
6. Intent; meaning; moral. [1913 Webster]
"Taketh the morality thereof, good men." [1913 Webster]
morality, n. (pl. -ies)
1 the degree of conformity of an idea, practice, etc., to moral principles.
2 right moral conduct.
3 a lesson in morals.
4 the science of morals.
5 a particular system of morals (commercial morality).
6 (in pl.) moral principles; points of ethics.
7 (in full morality play) hist. a kind of drama with personified abstract qualities as the main characters and inculcating a moral lesson, popular in the 16th c.
Etymology:
ME f. OF moralit{eacute} or LL moralitas f. L (as MORAL)
N duty, what ought to be done, moral obligation, accountableness, liability, onus, responsibility, bounden duty, imperative duty, call, call of duty, accountability, allegiance, fealty, tie engagement, part, function, calling, morality, morals, decalogue, case of conscience, conscientiousness, conscience, inward monitor, still small voice within, sense of duty, tender conscience, superego, the hell within, dueness, propriety, fitness, seemliness, amenability, decorum, to prepon, the thing, the proper thing, the right thing to do, the proper thing to do, ethics, ethology, deontology, aretology, moral philosophy, ethical philosophy, casuistry, polity, observance, fulfillment, discharge, performance, acquittal, satisfaction, redemption, good behavior, obligatory, binding, imperative, peremptory, stringent, behooving, incumbent on, chargeable on, under obligation, obliged by, bound by, tied by, saddled with, due to, beholden to, bound to, indebted to, tied down, compromised, in duty bound, amenable, liable, accountable, responsible, answerable, right, meet, moral, ethical, casuistical, conscientious, ethological, with a safe conscience, as in duty, bound, on one's own responsibility, at one's own risk, suo periculo, in foro conscientiae, quamdiu se bene gesserit, dura lex sed lex, dulce et decorum est pro patria mori, honos habet onus, leve fit quod bene fertur onus, loyaute m'oblige, simple duty bath no place for fear, stern daughter of the voice of God, there is a higher law than the Constitution.
N virtue, virtuousness, morality, moral rectitude, integrity, nobleness, morals, ethics, cardinal virtues, merit, worth, desert, excellence, credit, self-control, self-denial, well-doing, good actions, good behavior, discharge of duty, fulfillment of duty, performance of duty, well-spent life, innocence, virtuous, good, innocent, meritorious, deserving, worthy, desertful, correct, dutiful, duteous, moral, right, righteous, right- minded, well-intentioned, creditable, laudable, commendable, praiseworthy, above all praise, beyond all praise, excellent, admirable, sterling, pure, noble, whole-souled, exemplary, matchless, peerless, saintly, saint-like, heaven-born, angelic, seraphic, godlike, virtuously, adj, e merito, esse quam videri bonus malebat, Schonheit vergeht Tugend besteht, virtue the greatest of all monarchies, virtus laudatur et alget, virtus vincit invidiam.