Mo-răl'ĭ-ty, n.
n. [Fr. moralité, Pr. moralitat, Sp. moralidad, It. moralità, Lat. moralitas.]
- The relation of conformity or non-conformity to the true moral standard or rule; the quality of an intention, a character, an action, a principle, or a sentiment, when tried by the standard of right; the quality of an action which renders it good; the conformity of an act to the divine law, or to the principles of morals.
- The doctrines or rules of moral duties, or the duties of men in their social character; ethics.
The system of morality to be gathered from the . . . ancient sages falls very short of that delivered in the gospel. Swift.
- The practice of the moral and social duties; external virtue; as, we often admire the politeness of men whose morality we question.
- 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, &c. Such plays were occasionally exhibited as late as the reign of Henry VIII. Strutt.