moral

moral [môr′əl, mär′əl; ] for n.4 [, mə ral′]

adj.

[ME < L moralis, of manners or customs < mos (gen. moris), pl. mores, manners, morals (see MOOD¹): used by CICERO² as transl. of Gr ēthikos]

1. relating to, dealing with, or capable of making the distinction between right and wrong in conduct

2. relating to, serving to teach, or in accordance with the principles of right and wrong

3. good or right in conduct or character; sometimes, specif., virtuous in sexual conduct

4. designating support, etc. that involves approval and sympathy without action

5. being virtually such because of its effect on thoughts, attitudes, etc., or because of its general results [a moral victory]

6. based on strong probability [a moral certainty]

7. based on the principle of right conduct rather than legality [a moral obligation]

8. Law based on general observation of people, on analogy, etc. rather than on what is demonstrable [moral evidence]

n.

1. a moral implication or moral lesson taught by a fable, event, etc.

2. the conclusion of a fable or story containing a moral lesson

3. [pl.] principles, standards, or habits with respect to right or wrong in conduct; ethics; sometimes, specif., standards of sexual behavior

4. Rare MORALE

morally

adv.

SYN.- MORAL implies conformity with the generally accepted standards of goodness or rightness in conduct or character, sometimes, specif., in sexual conduct [a moral person ]; ETHICAL implies conformity with an elaborated, ideal code of moral principles, sometimes, specif., with the code of a particular profession [an ethical lawyer ]; VIRTUOUS implies a morally excellent character, connoting justice, integrity, and often, specif., chastity; RIGHTEOUS implies a being morally blameless or justifiable [righteous anger ] -ANT. IMMORAL