ethical
//ˈɛθɪkəl//
formalForms
- Comparative
- more ethical
- Superlative
- most ethical
- Plural
- ethicals
Definitions
1.Of or relating to the study of ethics.
- The philosopher Kant is particularly known for his ethical writings.
2.Of or relating to the accepted principles of right and wrong, especially those of some organization or profession.
- All employees must familiarize themselves with our ethical guidelines.
3.Morally approvable; good.
- We are trying to decide what the most ethical course of action would be.
4.Only dispensed on the prescription of a physician.
- In most jurisdictions, morphine is classified as an ethical drug.
1.An ethical drug, one only dispensed on the prescription of a physician.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3784
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From ethic + -al
From Late Latin ethicus (“moral, ethical”)
From Ancient Greek ἠθικός (ēthikós, “of or for morals, moral, expressing character”)
From ἦθος (êthos, “character, moral nature”).