GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  1.       
    
    decent , a. [L. decens, decentis, p. pr. of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory, honor, ornament, Gr. δοκεῖν to seem good, to seem, think; cf. Skr. dāç to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E. attire, tire: cf. F. décent. Cf. Decorate, Decorum, Deign.]
    1. Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming; fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent language.
      Shak.

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      Before his decent steps.
      Milton.

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    2. Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest.
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    3. Comely; shapely; well-formed. [Archaic]
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      A sable stole of cyprus lawn
      Over thy decent shoulders drawn.
      Milton.

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      By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed.
      Pope.

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    4. Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable; fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a decent fortune; a decent person.
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      A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs.
      Burke.

      -- De"cent*ly, adv. -- De"cent*ness, n.

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