dignity
UK[ˈdɪɡnəti]US[ˈdɪɡnəti]
n
The quality of being worthy of honor or respect.
n
A calm and serious manner that deserves respect.
n
The sense of one's own worth; self-respect.
Morpheme Breakdown
dign
ity
dign
worthy
ity
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'dignity' entered English in the early 13th century via Old French dignete, which itself descended from Latin dignitatem (nominative dignitas), meaning "worthiness, merit, honor." The Latin root is dignus, signifying "worthy." This term is traced further back to the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root dek-, meaning "to take, accept, be suitable." The semantic journey thus flows from the ancient concept of being suitable or acceptable, to the Latin notion of inherent worthiness, culminating in the modern English abstract concept of a state of honor, respectability, and inherent value in a person.
Analysis
Structure: dign (worthy) + ity (noun suffix)
The morpheme 'dign' originates from Latin dignus, meaning "worthy, proper, deserving." The morpheme 'ity' is a noun-forming suffix from Latin -itas, indicating a state or condition.
Examples
He comported himself with quiet dignity throughout the ordeal.
The charity's work restores dignity to people living in poverty.
It is beneath your dignity to respond to such petty insults.