eth ‧ ic AC /ˈeθɪk/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: ethique , from Greek ethikos , from ethos ; ⇨ ↑ ethos ]
1 . [countable] a general idea or belief that influences people’s behaviour and attitudes:
The old ethic of hard work has given way to a new ethic of instant gratification.
⇨ ↑ work ethic
2 . ethics [plural] moral rules or principles of behaviour for deciding what is right and wrong:
a report on the ethics of gene therapy
professional/business/medical ethics (=the moral rules relating to a particular profession)
public concern about medical ethics
a code of ethics