MORAL

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin ~is, from mor-, mos custom Date: 14th century 1. of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior ; ethical , expressing or teaching a conception of right behavior , conforming to a standard of right behavior, sanctioned by or operative on one's conscience or ethical judgment , capable of right and wrong action , probable though not proved ; virtual , perceptual or psychological rather than tangible or practical in nature or effect , ~ly adverb Synonyms: see: ~ II. noun Date: 15th century 1. the ~ significance or practical lesson (as of a story), a passage pointing out usually in conclusion the lesson to be drawn from a story, 2. plural ~ practices or teachings ; modes of conduct, ethics, ~e