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Webster 1913 Edition

Morality

Mo-ral′i-ty

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Moralities
(#)
.
[L.
moralitas
: cf. F.
moralité
.]
1.
The relation of conformity or nonconformity to the moral standard or rule; quality of an intention, a character, an action, a principle, or a sentiment, when tried by the standard of right.
The
morality
of an action is founded in the freedom of that principle, by virtue of which it is in the agent’s power, having all things ready and requisite to the performance of an action, either to perform or not perform it.
South.
2.
The quality of an action which renders it good; the conformity of an act to the accepted standard of right.
Of
moralitee
he was the flower.
Chaucer.
I am bold to think that
morality
is capable of demonstration.
Locke.
3.
The doctrines or rules of moral duties, or the duties of men in their social character; ethics.
The end of
morality
is to procure the affections to obey reason, and not to invade it.
Bacon.
The system of
morality
to be gathered out of . . . ancient sages falls very short of that delivered in the gospel.
Swift.
4.
The practice of the moral duties; rectitude of life; conformity to the standard of right; virtue;
as, we often admire the politeness of men whose
morality
we question
.
5.
A kind of allegorical play, so termed because it consisted of discourses in praise of morality between actors representing such characters as Charity, Faith, Death, Vice, etc. Such plays were occasionally exhibited as late as the reign of
Henry VIII.
Strutt.
6.
Intent; meaning; moral.
[Obs.]
Taketh the
morality
thereof, good men.
Chaucer.

Webster 1828 Edition

Morality

MORAL'ITY

,
Noun.
The doctrine or system of moral duties, or the duties of men in their social character; ethics.
The system of morality to be gathered from the writings of ancient sages, falls very short of that delivered in the gospel.
1.
The practice of the moral duties; virtue. We often admire the politeness of men whose morality we question.
2.
The quality of an action which renders it good; the conformity of an act to the divine law, or to the principles of rectitude. This conformity implies that the act must be performed by a free agent, and from a motive of obedience to the divine will. This is the strict theological and scriptural sense of morality. But we often apply the word to actions which accord with justice and human laws, without reference to the motives form which they proceed.

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