decen

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. [ L. decem ten. ] (Chem.) One of the higher hydrocarbons, C10H20, of the ethylene series. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Decennaries [ L. decennium a period of ten years; decem ten + annus a year. ] 1. A period of ten years. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (O. Eng. Law) A tithing consisting of ten neighboring families. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Decennary. ] Consisting of ten years; happening every ten years; as, a decennial period; decennial games. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A tenth year or tenth anniversary. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Decenniums L. Decennia [ L. ] A period of ten years. “The present decennium.” Hallam. “The last decennium of Chaucer's life.” A. W. Ward.

{ } a. [ L. decem ten + novem nine. ] Pertaining to the number nineteen; of nineteen years. [ R. ] Holder. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. decens, decentis, p. pr. of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory, honor, ornament, Gr. dokei^n 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Before his decent steps. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Comely; shapely; well-formed. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A sable stole of cyprus lawn
Over thy decent shoulders drawn. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable; fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a decent fortune; a decent person. [ 1913 Webster ]

A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs. Burke.

-- De"cent*ly, adv. -- De"cent*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]