Dē'cent, a.

a. [Lat. decens, p. pr. of decet, decere, to be fitting or becoming; Fr. décent, It. & Sp. decente.]

1. Suitable in words, behavior, dress, and ceremony; becoming; fit; decorous; proper; comely; as, decent conduct; decent language. “Honesty and decent carriage.” Shak. “Before his decent steps.” Milton.
2. Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest.
3. Graceful; well-formed. [Obs.]

A sable stole of cyprus lawn O’er thy decent shoulders drawn. Milton. 4. Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable; as, a decent fortune; a decent person. A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs. Burke.