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 ] |