ethic

[ eth-ik ]

noun

1. the body of moral principles or values governing or distinctive of a particular culture or group:

   the Christian ethic; the tribal ethic of the Zuni.

2. a complex of moral precepts held or rules of conduct followed by an individual:

   a personal ethic.

ethic

/ ˈɛθɪk /

noun

1. a moral principle or set of moral values held by an individual or group

   the Puritan ethic

adjective

1. another word for ethical

Other Words From

• non·ethic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethic¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ethic, etic, from Latin ēthicus, from Greek ēthikós, equivalent to êth(os) ethos + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethic¹

C15: from Latin ēthicus, from Greek éthikos, from ēthos custom; see ethos

Related Words

• fairness
• integrity
• moral
• morality
• principle
• virtue