ethic

English

Alternative forms

• ethick (obsolete)

Etymology

From Old French ethique, from Late Latin ethica, from Ancient Greek ἠθική ‎(ēthikḗ), from ἠθικός ‎(ēthikós, “of or for morals, moral, expressing character”), from ἦθος ‎(êthos, “character, moral nature”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɛθɪk/

Adjective

ethic ‎(comparative more ethic, superlative most ethic)

1. Moral, relating to morals.

Noun

ethic ‎(plural ethics)

1. A set of principles of right and wrong behaviour guiding, or representative of, a specific culture, society, group, or individual.

   I think the golden rule is a great ethic.

2. The morality of an action.

Derived terms

Derived terms

ethic of reciprocity evolutionary ethic

Protestant ethic work ethic

Related terms

• ethical
• ethics
• ethos

See also

• ethic dative

External links

• ethic in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• ethic in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• ethic at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• etchi