moral
Meaning
Relating to the principles of right and wrong behavior.
Based on standards of good behavior and character.
A lesson about right and wrong that can be learned from a story or experience.
Structure
Usage
The moral implications of the decision were carefully considered.
He is a man of high moral character.
The moral of the fable is that honesty is always the best policy.
Etymology
The word 'moral' traces its lineage to the Latin moralis, coined by Cicero to translate the Greek ēthikos (ethical). Moralis was derived from mos (plural mores), which referred to the established customs, habits, and manners of a society. Over time, the focus shifted from external social customs to the internal principles of character and right conduct that these customs were meant to embody. Thus, the literal sense of "pertaining to custom" evolved into the modern abstract meaning concerning the distinction between good and bad behavior.
Analysis
'mor' is from Latin mos (plural mores) meaning "custom, habit, manner, character." '-al' is a Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives meaning "of or pertaining to."