DE'CENCY, noun [Latin to be fit or becoming; Gr. to be good, or fit for.]

1. That which is fir, suitable or becoming, in words or behavior; propriety of form, in social intercourse, in actions or discourse; proper formality; becoming ceremony. It has a special reference to behavior; as decency of conduct; decency of worship. But it is used also in reference to speech; as, he discoursed with decency

Those thousand decencies, that daily flow

From all her words and actions.

2. Suitableness to character; propriety.

3. Propriety in speech; modesty; opposed to ribaldry, or obscenity.

Want of decency is want of sense.

It may be also used for propriety of speech, opposed to rudeness, or disrespectful language; and for propriety in dress, opposed to raggedness, exposure of nakedness, filthiness, etc.