decent English · revision 5516

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1539|origins=la decēre}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈdiː.sənt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|décent]] or directly [[bor|la|decēns|t=becoming, fitting]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) the present participle of [[m|la|decēre|t=to be fitting, proper]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Latin decēre is cognate with Greek dokeîn “to seem good”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[ine-pro|*dek-|t=to take, accept]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[decorate]], [[dignity]] and [[docile]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Suitable or appropriate to the circumstances, and appropriate to one's rank: 1539.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Proper as regards modesty and propriety is from 1545,^(OED 1989) and of good taste in appearance from 1600.^(OED 1989) Respectable in behaviour and way of life is from 1712, and of dress from 1696.^(OED 1989) The sense “fair, good enough” is from about 1642 in the OED and 1711 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Of a person, kind or obliging, is colloquial from 1902.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) ''Are you decent?'', “are you dressed?”, from 1949, was originally backstage theatre jargon.^(Etymonline) ''Decency'' is from 1567.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1539 – fitting, appropriate.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1545 – proper, modest.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1642 – good enough.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1902 – kind (colloquial).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1949 – ''are you decent?''^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Following accepted standards of good behaviour or morality; [[respectable]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Good enough; [[adequate]]: ''a decent wage''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' Kind and fair.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Not likely to shock; [[modest]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' Dressed enough to be seen.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[decently]]

+ * [[decentness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[decency]]

+ * [[indecent]]

+ * [[decorum]]

+ * [[decorate]]

+ * [[dignity]]

+ * [[docile]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}