SG Heritage Dictionary

Moral [Adjective] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. Relating to the practice, manners or conduct of men as social beings in relation to each other, and with reference to right and wrong. The word moral is applicable to actions that are good or evil, virtuous or vicious, and has reference to the law of God as the standard by which their character is to be determined. The word however may be applied to actions which affect only, or primarily and principally, a person's own happiness.

2. Keep at the least within the compass of moral actions, which have in them vice or virtue.

3. Mankind is broken loose from moral bands.

4. Subject to the moral law and capable of moral actions; bound to perform social duties; as a moral agent or being.

5. Supported by the evidence of reason or probability; founded on experience of the ordinary course of things; as moral certainty, distinguished from physical or mathematical certainty or demonstration.

6. Physical and mathematical certainty may be stiled infallible, and moral certainty may be properly stiled indubitable.

7. Things of a moral nature may be proved by moral arguments.

8. Conformed to rules of right, or to the divine law respecting social duties; virtuous; just; as when we say, a particular action is not moral

9. Conformed to law and right in exterior deportment; as, he leads a good moral life.

10. Reasoning or instructing with regard to vice and virtue.

11. While thou, a moral fool, sitt'st still and cri'st.

12. In general, moral denotes something which respects the conduct of men and their relations as social beings whose actions have a bearing on each others's rights and happiness, and are therefore right or wrong, virtuous or vicious; as moral character; moral views; moral knowledge; moral sentiments; moral maxims; moral approbation; moral doubts; moral justice; moral virtue; moral obligations, etc. Or moral denotes something which respects the intellectual powers of man, as distinct form his physical powers. Thus we speak of moral evidence, moral arguments, moral persuasion, moral certainty, moral force; which operate on the mind.

13. Moral law, the law of God which prescribes the moral or social duties, and prohibits the transgression of them.

14. Moral sense, an innate or natural sense of right and wrong; an instinctive perception of what is right or wrong in moral conduct, which approves some actions and disapproves others, independent of education or the knowledge of any positive rule or law. But the existence of any such moral sense is very much doubted.

15. Moral philosophy, the science of manners and duty; the science which treats of the nature and condition of man as a social being, of the duties which result form his social relations, and the reasons on which they are founded.

Moral [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. Morality; the doctrine or practice of the duties of life. [Not much used.]

2. The doctrine inculcated by a fiction; the accommodation of a fable to form the morals.

3. The moral is the first business of the poet.

Moral [Verb intransitive] Webster's Dictionary 1828

To moralize. [Not in use.]

Moral [Adjective] Webster's Dictionary 1913

1. Relating to duty or obligation; pertaining to those intentions and actions of which right and wrong, virtue and vice, are predicated, or to the rules by which such intentions and actions ought to be directed; relating to the practice, manners, or conduct of men as social beings in relation to each other, as respects right and wrong, so far as they are properly subject to rules.

2. Conformed to accepted rules of right; acting in conformity with such rules; virtuous; just; as, a moral man. Used sometimes in distinction from religious; as, a moral rather than a religious life.

3. Capable of right and wrong action or of being governed by a sense of right; subject to the law of duty.

4. Acting upon or through one's moral nature or sense of right, or suited to act in such a manner; as, a moral arguments; moral considerations. Sometimes opposed to material and physical; as, moral pressure or support.

5. Supported by reason or probability; practically sufficient; -- opposed to legal or demonstrable; as, a moral evidence; a moral certainty.

6. Serving to teach or convey a moral; as, a moral lesson; moral tales.

Moral [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

1. The doctrine or practice of the duties of life; manner of living as regards right and wrong; conduct; behavior; -- usually in the plural.

2. The inner meaning or significance of a fable, a narrative, an occurrence, an experience, etc.; the practical lesson which anything is designed or fitted to teach; the doctrine meant to be inculcated by a fiction; a maxim.

3. A morality play. See Morality, 5.

Moral [Verb intransitive] Webster's Dictionary 1913

To moralize.

Moral Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

OBLIGATION. Different opinions have been held as to the ground of moral obligation. Grotius, Balguy, and Dr. Samuel Clarke, place it in the eternal and necessary fitness of things. To this there are two objections. The first is, that it leaves the distinction between virtue and vice, in a great measure, arbitrary and indefinite, dependent upon our perception of fitness and unfitness, which, in different individuals will greatly differ. The second is, that when a fitness or unfitness is proved, it is no more than the discovery of a natural essential difference or congruity, which alone cannot constitute a moral obligation to choose what is fit, and to reject what is unfit. When we have proved a fitness in a certain course of action, we have not proved that it is obligatory. A second step is necessary before we can reach this conclusion. Cudworth, Butler, Price, and others, maintain, that virtue carries its own obligation in itself; that the understanding at once perceives a certain action to be right, and therefore it ought to be performed. Several objections lie to this notion: 1. It supposes the understandings of men to determine precisely in the same manner concerning all virtuous and vicious actions; which is contrary to fact. 2. It supposes a previous rule, by which the action is determined to be right; but if the revealed will of God is not to be taken into consideration, what common rule exists among men? There is evidently no such rule, and therefore no means of certainly determining what is right. 3. If a common standard were known among men, and if the understandings of men determined in the same manner as to the conformity, or otherwise, of an action to that standard; what renders it a matter of obligation that any one should perform it? The rule must be ...

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary
[1,101 words — estimated reading time: 7 minutes]

Moral philosophy Encyclopedia Britannica

MORAL PHILOSOPHY. See Ethics, vol. viii. p. 574. MORATIN, Leandro Fernandez de (1760-1828), Spanish dramatist and poet, was the son of N. F. Moratin mentioned below, and was born at Madrid on 10th March 1760. His poetical and artistic tastes were early developed, but his father, keenly alive to the difficulties of the literary calling, caused him to be apprenticed to a jeweller. At the age of eighteen Moratin surprised his friends by winning the second prize of the Academy for a heroic poem on the conquest of Granada, and two years afterwards he attracted still more general attention by a similar success of his Leccion Poetica, a satire upon the popular poets of the day. Through Jovellanos he was now appointed secretary to Cabarrus on his special mission to France in 1787, and during his stay there he diligently improved his opportunities of becoming acquainted with the contemporary French drama, and of cultivating the acquaintance of men of letters. Of the literary friendships he then formed the most important was that with Goldoni; indeed, Moratin is much more correctly styled “the Spanish Goldoni” than “the Spanish Molière.” On his return to Spain Florida Blanca presented him to a sinecure benefice in the diocese of Burgos; and in 1790 his first play, El Viejo y la Nina (The Old Husband and the Young Wife), a highly finished but somewhat dreary verse comedy in three acts, written in 1786, but delayed by objections of the actors, was at length produced at the Teatro del Principe. Its success was only moderate. El Café or La Comedia Nueva, on the other hand, given at the same theatre two years afterwards, at once became deservedly popular, and had considerable influence in modifying the public taste. It is a short prose comedy in two acts, avowedly intended ...

9th ed. Encyclopædia Britannica, vol. 16, p. 809
[886 words — estimated reading time: 6 minutes]

Morale [Adjective] Webster's Dictionary 1913

The moral condition, or the condition in other respects, so far as it is affected by, or dependent upon, moral considerations, such as zeal, spirit, hope, and confidence; mental state, as of a body of men, an army, and the like.

Moraler [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

A moralizer. [Not in use.]

Moraler [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

A moralizer.

Moralism [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

A maxim or saying embodying a moral truth.

Moralist [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. One who teaches the duties of life, or a writer of essays intended to correct vice and inculcate moral duties.

2. One who practices moral duties; a mere moral person.

Moralist [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

1. One who moralizes; one who teaches or animadverts upon the duties of life; a writer of essays intended to correct vice and inculcate moral duties.

2. One who practices moral duties; a person who lives in conformity with moral rules; one of correct deportment and dealings with his fellow-creatures; -- sometimes used in contradistinction to one whose life is controlled by religious motives.

Moralities [Plural] Webster's Dictionary 1913

of Morality

Morality [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. The doctrine or system of moral duties, or the duties of men in their social character; ethics.

2. The system of morality to be gathered from the writings of ancient sages, falls very short of that delivered in the gospel.

3. The practice of the moral duties; virtue. We often admire the politeness of men whose morality we question.

4. 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.

Morality [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

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.

2. The quality of an action which renders it good; the conformity of an act to the accepted standard of right.

3. The doctrines or rules of moral duties, or the duties of men in their social character; ethics.

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.

6. Intent; meaning; moral.

Moralization [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. Moral reflections, or the act of making moral reflections.

2. Explanation in a moral sense.

Moralization [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

1. The act of moralizing; moral reflections or discourse.

2. Explanation in a moral sense.

Moralize [Verb intransitive] Webster's Dictionary 1828

To speak or write on moral subjects, or to make moral reflections.

Moralize [Verb transitive] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. To apply to a moral purpose, or to explain in a moral sense.

2. This fable is moralized in a common proverb.

3. Did he not moralize this spectacle?

4. To furnish with manners or examples.

5. To render moral or virtuous; to correct the morals of.

6. It had a large share in moralizing the poor white people of the country.

7. [This sense, though the most strictly etymological, is rare, or to make moral reflections.

Moralize [Verb intransitive] Webster's Dictionary 1913

To make moral reflections; to regard acts and events as involving a moral.

Moralize [Verb transitive] Webster's Dictionary 1913

1. To apply to a moral purpose; to explain in a moral sense; to draw a moral from.

2. To furnish with moral lessons, teachings, or examples; to lend a moral to.

3. To render moral; to correct the morals of.

4. To give a moral quality to; to affect the moral quality of, either for better or worse.

Moralized [Participle passive] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. Applied to a moral purpose, or explained in a moral sense.

2. Rendered moral or less corrupt.

Moralized [Imperfect tense and past participle] Webster's Dictionary 1913

of Moralize

Moralizer [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

One who moralizes.

Moralizer [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

One who moralizes.

Moralizing [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. The application of facts to a moral purpose, or the making of moral reflections.

2. His moralizings are always pleasant, and he does not spare, where he thinks it useful to moralize.

Moralizing [Participle present tense] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. Applying to a moral purpose, or explaining in a moral sense.

2. Making moral reflections in words or writing.

Moralizing [Present participle and verbal noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

of Moralize

Morally [Adverb] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. In a moral or ethical sense; according to the rules of morality.

2. By good, morally so called, bonum honestum ought chiefly to be understood.

3. Virtuously; honestly; according to moral rules in external department. He resolves to live morally

4. According to the rules of the divine law. An action is not in strictness morally good, which does not proceed from good motives, or a principle of love and obedience to the divine law and to the lawgiver. Charity bestowed to gratify pride, or justice done by compulsion, cannot be morally good in the sight of God.

5. According to the evidence of human reason or of probabilities, founded on facts or experience; according to the usual course of things and human judgment.

6. It is morally impossible for a hypocrite to keep himself long on his guard.

7. From the nature of things, I am morally certain that a mind free from passion and prejudice is more fit to pass a true judgment than one biased by affection and interest.

Morally [Adverb] Webster's Dictionary 1913

1. In a moral or ethical sense; according to the rules of morality.

2. According to moral rules; virtuously.

3. In moral qualities; in disposition and character; as, one who physically and morally endures hardships.

4. In a manner calculated to serve as the basis of action; according to the usual course of things and human judgment; according to reason and probability.

Morals [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. plural The practice of the duties of life; as a man of correct morals

2. Conduct; behavior; course of life, in regard to good and evil.

3. Some, as corrupt in their morals as vice could make them, have been solicitous to have their children virtuously and piously educated.

4. What can laws do without morals?

Judgment Roget’s Thesaurus §480

N. result, conclusion, upshot, deduction, inference, ergotism, illation, corollary, porism, moral, estimation, valuation, appreciation, judication, dijudication, adjudication, arbitrament, arbitrement, arbitration, assessment, ponderation, valorization, award, estimate, review, criticism, critique, notice, report, decision, determination, judgment, finding, verdict, sentence, decree, findings of fact, findings of law, res judicata, plebiscite, voice, casting vote, vote, opinion, good judgment, judge, umpire, arbiter, arbitrator, asessor, referee, censor, reviewer, critic, connoisseur, commentator, inspector, inspecting officer, twenty-twenty hindsight, armchair general, monday morning quarterback

V. judge, conclude, come to a conclusion, draw a conclusion, arrive at a conclusion, ascertain, determine, make up one's mind, deduce, derive, gather, collect, draw an inference, make a deduction, weet|, ween, form an estimate, estimate, appreciate, value, count, assess, rate, rank, account, regard, consider, think of, look upon, review, size up *, settle, pass an opinion, give an opinion, decide, try, pronounce, rule, pass judgment, pass sentence, sentence, doom, find, give judgment, deliver judgment, adjudge, adjudicate, arbitrate, award, report, bring in a verdict, make absolute, set a question at rest, confirm, comment, criticize, kibitz, pass under review, investigate, hold the scales, sit in judgment, try judgment, hear a cause

Adj. judging, judicious, determinate, conclusive

Adv. on the whole, all things considered

Phr. "a daniel come to judgment", "and stand a critic, hated yet caress'd", "it is much easier to be critical than to be correct", la critique est aisee et l'art est difficile, "nothing if not critical", "o most lame and impotent conclusion"

Maxim Roget’s Thesaurus §496

N. maxim, aphorism, apothegm, apophthegm, # dictum, saying, adage, saw, proverb, sentence, mot, motto, word, byword, moral, phylactery, protasis, axiom, theorem, scholium, truism, postulate, first principles, a priori fact, assumption (supposition) 514, reflection, conclusion, golden rule, principle, principia, profession of faith, settled principle, accepted principle, formula, accepted fact, received truth, wise maxim, sage maxim, received maxim, admitted maxim, recognized maxim &c, true saying, common saying, hackneyed saying, trite saying, commonplace saying &c

Adj. aphoristic, proverbial, phylacteric, axiomatic, gnomic

Adv. as the saying goes, as the saying is, as they say

Duty Roget’s Thesaurus §926

N. duty, what ought to be done, moral obligation, accountableness, liability, onus, responsibility, bounden duty, imperative duty, call, call of duty, accountability, allegiance, fealty, tie engagement, part, function, calling, morality, morals, decalogue, case of conscience, conscientiousness, conscience, inward monitor, still small voice within, sense of duty, tender conscience, superego, the hell within, dueness, propriety, fitness, seemliness, amenability, decorum, τὸ πρέπον, the thing, the proper thing, the right thing to do, the proper thing to do, ethics, ethology, deontology, aretology, moral philosophy, ethical philosophy, casuistry, polity, observance, fulfillment, discharge, performance, acquittal, satisfaction, redemption, good behavior

V. be the duty of, be incumbent, on, be responsible, behoove, become, befit, beseem, belong to, pertain to, fall to one's lot, devolve on, lie upon, lie on one's head, lie at one's door, rest with, rest on the shoulders of, take upon oneself, be bound to, become bound to, be sponsor for, become sponsor for, incur a responsibility, be under an obligation, stand under an obligation, lie under an obligation, have to answer for, owe to it oneself, impose a duty, &c. n, enjoin, require, exact, bind, bind over, saddle with, prescribe, assign, call upon, look to, oblige, enter upon a duty, perform a duty, observe a duty, fulfill a duty, discharge a duty, adhere to a duty, acquit oneself of a duty, satisfy a duty, enter upon an obligation, perform an obligation, observe an obligation, fulfill an obligation, discharge an obligation, adhere to an obligation, acquit oneself of an obligation, satisfy an obligation, act one's part, redeem one's pledge, do justice to, be at one's post, do duty, do one's duty, be on one's good behavior, mind one's p's and q's

Adj. obligatory, binding, imperative, peremptory, stringent, behooving, incumbent on, chargeable on, under obligation, obliged by, bound by, tied by, saddled with, due to, beholden to, bound to, indebted to, tied down, compromised, in duty bound, amenable, liable, accountable, responsible, answerable, right, meet, moral, ethical, casuistical, conscientious, ethological

Adv. with a safe conscience, as in duty, bound, on one's own responsibility, at one's own risk, suo periculo, in foro conscientiae, quamdiu se bene gesserit

Phr. dura lex sed lex, dulce et decorum est pro patria mori, honos habet onus, leve fit quod bene fertur onus, loyaute m'oblige, "simple duty bath no place for fear", "stern daughter of the voice of god", "there is a higher law than the constitution"

Virtue Roget’s Thesaurus §944

N. virtue, virtuousness, morality, moral rectitude, integrity, nobleness, morals, ethics, cardinal virtues, merit, worth, desert, excellence, credit, self-control, self-denial, well-doing, good actions, good behavior, discharge of duty, fulfillment of duty, performance of duty, well-spent life, innocence

V. be virtuous, practice virtue, do one's duty, fulfill one's duty, perform one's duty, discharge one's duty, redeem one's pledge, keep one's promise, act well, act one's part, fight the good fight, acquit oneself well, command one's passions, master one's passions, keep in the right path, set an example, set a good example, be on one's good behavior, be on one's best behavior

Adj. virtuous, good, innocent, meritorious, deserving, worthy, desertful, correct, dutiful, duteous, moral, right, righteous, right- minded, well-intentioned, creditable, laudable, commendable, praiseworthy, above all praise, beyond all praise, excellent, admirable, sterling, pure, noble, whole-souled, exemplary, matchless, peerless, saintly, saint-like, heaven-born, angelic, seraphic, godlike

Adv. virtuously &c, adj, e merito

Phr. esse quam videri bonus malebat, schonheit vergeht tugend besteht, "virtue the greatest of all monarchies", virtus laudatur et alget, virtus vincit invidiam