rectitude

[ rek-ti-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. rightness of principle or conduct; moral virtue:

   the rectitude of her motives.

   Synonyms: principle, probity, integrity

2. correctness:

   rectitude of judgment.

3. straightness.

rectitude

/ ˈrɛktɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. moral or religious correctness
2. correctness of judgment

Word History and Origins

Origin of rectitude¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French rectitude, “honesty,” from Late Latin rēctitūdin- (stem of rēctitūdō “straightness, upright posture, honesty, justice”), equivalent to Latin rēct(us) right + -tūdin- -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of rectitude¹

C15: from Late Latin rectitūdō , from Latin rectus right, straight, from regere to rule

Example Sentences

That was true most dramatically for New York City in the 1970s, though other cities such as Detroit and Chicago were hardly models of fiscal rectitude.

From Time

The Victorians looked to it for lessons in Empire and moral rectitude.

From The Daily Beast

Not a good look for a woman whose reputation is built on moral rectitude.

From The Daily Beast

Liberal women, he claimed, helped cause the debt by “neutering American men,” which apparently undermined their fiscal rectitude.

From The Daily Beast

For some, it may have been his personal rectitude after Bill Clinton.

From The Daily Beast

Maybe it is his own reputation for rectitude, a reputation buttressed by the lack of scandals in his administration.

From The Daily Beast

Over a range, therefore, of infinite extent, the principles of eternal rectitude are maintained.

From Project Gutenberg

He supposed that all men are born equally good, but that the temptations of the world at length destroy the original rectitude.

From Project Gutenberg

In the first place, the present state of society testifies to a neglect somewhere of inculcating habits of rectitude.

From Project Gutenberg

Both the purity of his nature and the rectitude of his judgment would have kept him straight.'

From Project Gutenberg

Woman's virtue is founded upon a modest countenance, precise behavior, rectitude, and a deficiency of suitors.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• decency
• honesty
• integrity
• morality
• probity
• righteousness