rectitude
noun (formal)

- honesty and correct moral behaviour

- the quality or state of being correct in judgment or procedure

Cambridge Dictionary / Merriam-Webster

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WORD ORIGIN

“Rectitude" comes from the Latin word rectus which means "straight" or "right”. Rectus is also the root of other English words, such as "rectangle" "rectify" and "rectilinear".

The word "rectitude" was first used in English in the 15th century. It was originally used to refer to the straightness of a line or object. However, by the 16th century, the word had also come to mean "moral uprightness" or "integrity."

The association between the physical property of straightness and the moral quality of uprightness is not surprising. In many cultures, straightness is seen as a symbol of honesty, fairness, and justice. Conversely, crookedness is associated with dishonesty, deceit, and injustice.

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"The test of rectitude is to do right where nobody is looking." - William Cowper

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RECTITUDE IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

The concept of rectitude, defined as moral uprightness and integrity, is typically associated with human behaviour and morality. However, there is evidence that suggests animals may also exhibit behaviours that could be interpreted as a form of rectitude.

- Chimpanzees have been observed sharing food with their friends and family, even when they are hungry themselves.

- Wolves will punish pack members who they perceive as cheating or violating social norms.

- Dolphins have been observed helping injured or stranded individuals, both of their own kind and other species.

- Elephants have been observed mourning the death of their loved ones, and they will sometimes even adopt orphaned elephants.

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SYNONYMS

abidingness, adherence to principle, a beacon of morality, a pillar of strength, a shining example, a straight arrow, a true blue, as honest as the day is long, as pure as the driven snow, blamelessness, by the book, clean as a whistle, conscientiousness, consistency of principle, devotion to principle, ethicality, goodness, have a clear conscience (a heart of gold), honesty, honour, incorruptibility, integrity, justness, law-abidingness, loyalty, moral goodness (soundness, strength, uprightness), morality, nobility, nonmaleficence, objectivity, openness, play it straight, probity, RECTITUDE, righteousness, rightness, soundness, staunchness, steadfastness, straightforwardness, stand up for what is right, uprightness, virtue, walk the walk, well-doing, with a clean slate

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation, say something like:

“I would never have thought that animals could have a sense of RECTITUDE, yet it seems that some species such chimps, wolves, and dolphins actually do!”

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