- Today's Word
Rectitude
REK-ti-tood
Definition
(noun) Morally correct behavior or thinking; righteousness.
Example
Her rectitude was admired even by her fiercest opponents.
Fun Fact
Rectitude is an old-school word that appears in documents like the U.S. Declaration of Independence, which refers to “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind” and “the rectitude of our intentions.” It comes from Latin rectus, meaning “straight” or “right,” and it’s often used to describe people with uncompromising principles.
(adjective) Asserting opinions or beliefs in an arrogant, rigid, and often unyielding way.
His dogmatic approach left no room for compromise or alternative ideas.
Mid 17th century: from late Latin dogmaticus, from Greek dogmatikos, from dogma ‘opinion, tenet’.