I. ˈmȯr-əl, ˈmär- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin moralis, from mor-, mos custom
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior : ethical
moral judgments
b. : expressing or teaching a conception of right behavior
a moral poem
c. : conforming to a standard of right behavior
d. : sanctioned by or operative on one's conscience or ethical judgment
a moral obligation
e. : capable of right and wrong action
a moral agent
2. : probable though not proved : virtual
a moral certainty
3. : perceptual or psychological rather than tangible or practical in nature or effect
a moral victory
moral support
• mor·al·ly -ə-lē adverb
Synonyms:
moral , ethical , virtuous , righteous , noble mean conforming to a standard of what is right and good. moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong
the basic moral values of a community
ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity
committed to the highest ethical principles
virtuous implies moral excellence in character
not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless
righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious
wished to be righteous before God and the world
noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character
had the noblest of reasons for seeking office
II. ˈmȯr-əl, ˈmär-; 3 is mə-ˈral noun
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : the moral significance or practical lesson (as of a story)
b. : a passage pointing out usually in conclusion the lesson to be drawn from a story
2. plural
a. : moral practices or teachings : modes of conduct
b. : ethics
3. : morale