rectitude
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
Middle English, from Middle French rectitude, from Late Latin rectitūdō (“straightness, uprightness”), from Latin rectus (“straight”), perfect passive participle of regō (“regulate, guide”).
Pronunciation [edit]
- (UK) IPA: /ˈɹɛk.tɪ.tjuːd/, /ˈɹɛk.tə.tjuːd/, X-SAMPA: /"r\Ek.tI.tju:d/, /"r\Ek.t@.tju:d/
- (US) IPA: /ˈɹɛk.tə.tuːd/, /ˈɹɛk.tə.tjuːd/, X-SAMPA: /"r\Ek.t@.tu:d/, /"r\Ek.t@.tju:d/
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Audio (US) (file)
Noun [edit]
rectitude (countable and uncountable; plural rectitudes)
- Straightness; the state or quality of having a constant direction and not being crooked or bent. [from 15th c.]
- (now rare) The fact or quality of being right or correct; correctness of opinion or judgement. [from 15th c.]
- 2010, Christopher Hitchens, Hitch-22, Atlantic 2011, p. 98:
- A consciousness of rectitude can be a terrible thing, and in those days I didn't just think that I was right: I thought that “we” (our group of International Socialists in particular) were being damn well proved right.
- 2010, Christopher Hitchens, Hitch-22, Atlantic 2011, p. 98:
- Conformity to the rules prescribed for moral conduct; (moral) uprightness, virtue. [from 16th c.]
- 1776, Thomas Jefferson, et al., Declaration of Independence, 4 Jul.:
- We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by authority of the good people of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States.
- 1776, Thomas Jefferson, et al., Declaration of Independence, 4 Jul.:
Quotations [edit]
- For more examples of usage of this term, see the citations page.
Synonyms [edit]
Translations [edit]
straightness; state or quality of having a constant direction
rightness of principle or practice
References [edit]
- rectitude in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
Anagrams [edit]
French [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Late Latin rectitūdō (“straightness, uprightness”), from Latin rectus (“straight”), perfect passive participle of regō (“regulate, guide”).
Pronunciation [edit]
- IPA: /ʁɛk.ti.tyd/, X-SAMPA: /REk.ti.tyd/
- Homophone: rectitudes
- Hyphenation: rec‧ti‧tude
Noun [edit]
rectitude f (plural rectitudes)
Derived terms [edit]
Anagrams [edit]
Categories:
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle French
- English terms derived from Late Latin
- English terms derived from Latin
- English nouns
- English terms with rare senses
- French terms derived from Late Latin
- French terms derived from Latin
- French nouns
- French feminine nouns
- French countable nouns
