n.; pl. Decencies [ L. decentia, fr. decens: cf. F. décence. See Decent. ] 1. The quality or state of being decent, suitable, or becoming, in words or behavior; propriety of form in social intercourse, in actions, or in discourse; proper formality; becoming ceremony; seemliness; hence, freedom from obscenity or indecorum; modesty. [ 1913 Webster ]

Observances of time, place, and of decency in general. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Immodest words admit of no defense,
For want of decency is want of sense. Roscommon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is proper or becoming. [ 1913 Webster ]

The external decencies of worship. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those thousand decencies, that daily flow
From all her words and actions. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Indecencies [ L. indecentia unseemliness: cf. F. indécence. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The quality or state of being indecent; lack of decency, modesty, or good manners; obscenity. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is indecent; an indecent word or act; an offense against delicacy. [ 1913 Webster ]

They who, by speech or writing, present to the ear or the eye of modesty any of the indecencies I allude to, are pests of society. Beattie.

Syn. -- Indelicacy; indecorum; immodesty; impurity; obscenity. See Indecorum. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Indecency. [ Obs. ] “Decency and undecency.” Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]