probity

probity

English

Etymology

From Middle French probité, from Latin probitas (“uprightness, honesty”), from probus (“good, excellent, honest”); see probe, prove.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpɹəʊbɪti/

Noun

probity (countable and uncountable, plural probities)

1. Integrity, especially of the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.
   • 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of morals, London: Oxford University Press, 1973, § 1,

     … they can but bend our hearts to the love of probity and true honour, …

   • 1819, Washington Irving, The Sketch Book, English Writers on America:

     … when either the interest or reputation of their own country comes into collision with that of another, they … forget their usual probity and candour in the indulgence of splenetic remark, and an illiberal spirit of ridicule.

Synonyms

• decency, goodness, godliness, honesty, honor, saintliness, uprightness, virtue, righteousness

Antonyms

• wickedness

Related terms

• probe, prove

Translations

integrity

Dutch: integriteit (nl) f, rechtschapenheid f, eerlijkheid (nl) f, oprechtheid (nl) f Georgian: პატიოსნება (ṗaṭiosneba), მოუსყიდაობა (mousq̇idaoba) Norwegian: Bokmål: redelighet (no) m or f Polish: uczciwość (pl) f

Portuguese: probidade (pt) Spanish: probidad (es) f Swedish: redlighet (sv) c, rättskaffenhet (sv) c

Further reading

• probity in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• probity in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.