n.; pl. Dignities [ OE. dignete, dignite, OF. digneté, dignité, F. dignité, fr. L. dignitas, from dignus worthy. See Dainty, Deign. ] 1. The state of being worthy or honorable; elevation of mind or character; true worth; excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Elevation; grandeur. [ 1913 Webster ]

The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Elevated rank; honorable station; high office, political or ecclesiastical; degree of excellence; preferment; exaltation. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Esth. vi. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, . . . the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power. Gen. xlix. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Quality suited to inspire respect or reverence; loftiness and grace; impressiveness; stateliness; -- said of mien, manner, style, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

A letter written with singular energy and dignity of thought and language. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. One holding high rank; a dignitary. [ 1913 Webster ]

These filthy dreamers . . . speak evil of dignities. Jude. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Fundamental principle; axiom; maxim. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Sciences concluding from dignities, and principles known by themselves. Sir T. Browne.

Syn. -- See Decorum. [ 1913 Webster ]

To stand upon one's dignity, to have or to affect a high notion of one's own rank, privilege, or character. [ 1913 Webster ]

They did not stand upon their dignity, nor give their minds to being or to seeming as elegant and as fine as anybody else. R. G. White. [ 1913 Webster ]