Behavior that is respectful, honest, and morally acceptable according to social standards.
From Latin 'decentia,' derived from 'decens' meaning 'fitting' or 'proper.' The word entered English in the 16th century to describe conduct befitting a person's status. It combines the root 'dec-' (fitting) with the suffix '-ency' indicating a quality or state.
Interestingly, 'decency' is one of those words that changes meaning across cultures and time periods—what's considered decent in Victorian England looks very different from modern decency standards, yet the word keeps its moral weight. It's like a mirror of society's values!
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