Dignity
/ˈdɪɡ.nɪ.ti/noun
The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.
Did you know?Dignity comes from the same ancient root as Latin *dignus* (“worthy”), a word tied to the old idea that status was something you could literally *deserve* or *not deserve*.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dek-
“to take, accept, or seem fitting/appropriate”
Latin
Latin
dignus
“worthy, deserving, proper”
Latin
Latin
dignitas
“worthiness, merit, rank, prestige”
Old French
Old French
dignite
“worth, merit, honor, rank”
Middle English
English
dignite
“honor, worthiness, high rank”
Modern English
English
dignity
“the quality of being worthy of honor or respect”