Moral - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Moral :  adj
1: relating to principles of right and wrong; i.e. to morals or ethics; "moral philosophy"
2: concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles; "moral sense"; "a moral scrutiny"; "a moral lesson"; "a moral quandary"; "moral convictions"; "a moral life" [ant: immoral, amoral]
3: adhering to ethical and moral principles; "it seems ethical and right"; "followed the only honorable course of action"; "had the moral courage to stand alone" [syn: ethical, honorable, honourable]
4: arising from the sense of right and wrong; "a moral obligation"
5: psychological rather than physical or tangible in effect; "a moral victory"; "moral support"
6: based on strong likelihood or firm conviction rather than actual evidence; "a moral certainty" [syn: moral(a)] (noun)

1: the significance of a story or event; "the moral of the story is to love thy neighbor" [syn: lesson]

Based on WordNet 2.0

Moral : \Mor"al\, a. [F., fr. It. moralis, fr. mos, moris, manner, custom, habit, way of life, conduct.] 1. Relating to duty or obligation; pertaining to those intentions and actions of which right and wrong, virtue and vice, are predicated, or to the rules by which such intentions and actions ought to be directed; relating to the practice, manners, or conduct of men as social beings in relation to each other, as respects right and wrong, so far as they are properly subject to rules.

Keep at the least within the compass of moral actions, which have in them vice or virtue. --Hooker.

Mankind is broken loose from moral bands. --Dryden.

She had wandered without rule or guidance in a moral wilderness. --Hawthorne.

2. Conformed to accepted rules of right; acting in conformity with such rules; virtuous; just; as, a moral man. Used sometimes in distinction from religious; as, a moral rather than a religious life.

The wiser and more moral part of mankind. --Sir M. Hale.

3. Capable of right and wrong action or of being governed by a sense of right; subject to the law of duty.

A moral agent is a being capable of those actions that have a moral quality, and which can properly be denominated good or evil in a moral sense. --J. Edwards.

4. Acting upon or through one's moral nature or sense of right, or suited to act in such a manner; as, a moral arguments; moral considerations. Sometimes opposed to material and physical; as, moral pressure or support.

5. Supported by reason or probability; practically sufficient; -- opposed to legal or demonstrable; as, a moral evidence; a moral certainty.

6. Serving to teach or convey a moral; as, a moral lesson; moral tales.

Moral agent, a being who is capable of acting with reference to right and wrong.

Moral certainty, a very high degree or probability, although not demonstrable as a certainty; a probability of so high a degree that it can be confidently acted upon in the affairs of life; as, there is a moral certainty of his guilt.

Moral insanity, insanity, so called, of the moral system; badness alleged to be irresponsible.

Moral philosophy, the science of duty; the science which treats of the nature and condition of man as a moral being, of the duties which result from his moral relations, and the reasons on which they are founded.

Moral play, an allegorical play; a morality. [Obs.]

Moral sense, the power of moral judgment and feeling; the capacity to perceive what is right or wrong in moral conduct, and to approve or disapprove, independently of education or the knowledge of any positive rule or law.

Moral theology, theology applied to morals; practical theology; casuistry.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Moral : \Mor"al\, v. i. To moralize. [Obs.] --Shak.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Moral : \Mor"al\, n. 1. The doctrine or practice of the duties of life; manner of living as regards right and wrong; conduct; behavior; --
usually in the plural.

Corrupt in their morals as vice could make them. --South.

2. The inner meaning or significance of a fable, a narrative, an occurrence, an experience, etc.; the practical lesson which anything is designed or fitted to teach; the doctrine meant to be inculcated by a fiction; a maxim.

Thus may we gather honey from the weed, And make a moral of the devil himself. --Shak.

To point a moral, or adorn a tale. --Johnson.

We protest against the principle that the world of pure comedy is one into which no moral enters. --Macaulay.

3. A morality play. See Morality, 5.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Moral : 

Mentioned in "An Overview of Ada", J.G.P. Barnes, Soft Prac & Exp 10:851-887 (1980).



Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Example Usage of Moral

aspieme: @aspergers2mom Yes... I think the bible is a writen guildbook to keep the masses in Moral check.
fbmuller: Não que estejam errados, mas eles abandonam o troço e depois ficam reclamando? Não têm Moral nenhuma pra isso agora! http://migre.me/eAgu
ivanfreitasgx: @lekapaviani haeheeah desc ulpa a demora tava no onibus vindo de campinas pra sampa.. agora estou na Moral hehe
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