ethical
/ˈɛθɪkəl/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.07 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Of or relating to the accepted principles of right and wrong, especially those of some organization or profession.
adj
adj
Only dispensed on the prescription of a physician.
noun
An ethical drug, one only dispensed on the prescription of a physician.
Example Sentences
- "The philosopher Kant is particularly known for his ethical writings."
- "All employees must familiarize themselves with our ethical guidelines."
- "An angry dispute between an animal welfare charity and its former employee will be the first case in Britain to decide whether ethical veganism is a “philosophical belief” that should be afforded the same protections as religion."
- "We are trying to decide what the most ethical course of action would be."
- "In most jurisdictions, morphine is classified as an ethical drug."
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”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *dʰeh₁-, ethicus, ἠθικός