probity
/ˈpɹoʊbəti/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.39 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
Integrity, especially of the quality of having strong moral principles; decency and honesty.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "[…] they can but bend our hearts to the love of probity and true honour […]"
- "[W]hen the interests or reputation of their own nation come into collision with those of another, they go to the opposite extreme, and forget their usual probity and candour, in the indulgence of spleen, and an illiberal spirit of ridicule."
- "Distilled to its essence, it is by no means clear that the ‘Cablegate’ disclosures were intended to support freedom of information, transparency, probity in government, or defence of the public interest."
- "The veterans add in their letter, which was partly coordinated by the campaign group Republic: “Officers of the British armed forces must adhere to the very highest standards of probity, honesty and honourable conduct. […]"
Etymology
From Middle French probité, from Latin probitās (“uprightness, honesty”), from probus (“good, excellent, honest”); see probe, prove.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: probité, probitās
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈpɹoʊbəti/
- British English: /ˈpɹəʊbɪti/