moral: Meaning and Definition of

mor•al

Pronunciation: (môr'ul, mor'-), [key]
— adj.
  1. of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical: moral attitudes.
  2. expressing or conveying truths or counsel as to right conduct, as a speaker or a literary work; moralizing: a moral novel.
  3. founded on the fundamental principles of right conduct rather than on legalities, enactment, or custom: moral obligations.
  4. capable of conforming to the rules of right conduct: a moral being.
  5. conforming to the rules of right conduct (opposed to immoral): a moral man.
  6. virtuous in sexual matters; chaste.
  7. of, pertaining to, or acting on the mind, feelings, will, or character: moral support.
  8. resting upon convincing grounds of probability; virtual: a moral certainty.
—n.
  1. the moral teaching or practical lesson contained in a fable, tale, experience, etc.
  2. the embodiment or type of something.
  3. principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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