ethic

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the principles of right and wrong that are accepted by an individual or a social group

   the Puritan ethic

2. 2
   noun

   A set of principles of right and wrong behaviour guiding, or representative of, a specific culture, society, group, or individual.

   The Protestant work ethic.

3. 3
   noun

   a system of principles governing morality and acceptable conduct

4. 4
   adj

   Moral, relating to morals.

5. 5
   noun

   The morality of an action.

Etymology

From Middle English etik, ethik, from Old French ethique, from Late Latin ēthica, from Ancient Greek ἠθική (ēthikḗ), from ἠθικός (ēthikós, “of or for morals, moral, expressing character”), from ἦθος (êthos, “character, moral nature”).