decent

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   conforming to conventions of sexual behavior

   speech in this circle, if not always decent, never became lewd- George Santayana

2. 2
   adj

   decently clothed

   are you decent?

3. 3
   adj

   Sufficiently clothed or dressed to be seen.

   Are you decent? May I come in?

4. 4
   adj

   Fair; acceptable; okay.

   He's a decent saxophonist, but probably not good enough to make a career of it.

5. 5
   adj

   Significant; substantial.

   There are a decent number of references out there, if you can find them.

6. 6
   adj

   Conforming to perceived standards of good taste.

   I had a cup of tea - the last decent cup of tea for many days; and in a room that most soothingly looked just as you would expect a lady’s drawing-room to look, we had a long quiet chat by the fireside.

7. 7
   adj

   Comely; shapely; well-formed.

   And ſable ſtole of Cipres Lawn, Over thy decent ſhoulders drawn.

8. 8
   adv

   in the right manner

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French décent, or its source, Latin decēns, present participle of decet (“it is fitting or suitable”), from Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- (“to take, accept, to receive, greet, be suitable”) (compare Ancient Greek δοκέω (dokéō, “to appear, seem, think”), δέχομαι (dékhomai, “to accept”); Sanskrit दशस्यति (daśasyáti, “shows honor, is gracious”), दाशति (dāśati, “makes offerings, bestows”)). Meaning ‘kind, pleasant’ is from 1902.