dignity

[dig-ni-tee] /ˈdɪg nɪ ti/
noun, plural dignities.
1.
bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation.
2.
nobility or elevation of character; worthiness:
dignity of sentiments.
3.
elevated rank, office, station, etc.
4.
relative standing; rank.
5.
a sign or token of respect:
an impertinent question unworthy of the dignity of an answer.
6.
Archaic.
  1. person of high rank or title.
  2. such persons collectively.
Origin
1175-1225; Middle English dignite < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin dignitās worthiness, equivalent to dign(us) worthy + -itās -ity
Examples from the web for dignity
  • He was of handsome form, comely in countenance, with an aspect of gravity and dignity and majesty and stateliness.
  • You have nothing to lose but postage and dignity.
  • Increased immigration of workers of all skills levels will help allow retirees to age and die with dignity.
  • The word gaman means to bear the seemingly unbearable with dignity and patience.
  • Strapping on a Bluetooth headset doesn't have to mean casting off dignity.
  • The revolution promised women dignity, as well as equality.
  • Just stop now while you only look a little foolish and can salvage some dignity.
  • The pine tree symbolizes longevity and dignity.
  • This is a tragedy, focusing attention on real people who lose not just necessary wages but dignity, self-respect and hope.
  • Anyone with even a hint of any kind of dignity and self respect would refrain from this sort of behavior.
British Dictionary definitions for dignity

dignity

/ˈdɪɡnɪtɪ/
noun (pl) -ties
1.
a formal, stately, or grave bearing: he entered with dignity
2.
the state or quality of being worthy of honour: the dignity of manual labour
3.
relative importance; rank: he is next in dignity to the mayor
4.
sense of self-importance (often in the phrases stand (or be) on one's dignity, beneath one's dignity)
5.
high rank, esp in government or the church
6.
a person of high rank or such persons collectively
Word Origin
C13: from Old French dignite, from Latin dignitās merit, from dignus worthy
Word Origin and History for dignity
n.

early 13c., from Old French dignite "dignity, privilege, honor," from Latin dignitatem (nominative dignitas) "worthiness," from dignus "worth (n.), worthy, proper, fitting" from PIE *dek-no-, from root *dek- "to take, accept" (see decent).