decent

adj

Etymology: Borrowed from Middle French décent, or its source, Latin decēns, present participle of decet (“it is fitting or suitable”), from Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- (“to take, accept, to receive, greet, be suitable”) (compare Ancient Greek δοκέω (dokéō, “to appear, seem, think”), δέχομαι (dékhomai, “to accept”); Sanskrit दशस्यति (daśasyáti, “shows honor, is gracious”), दाशति (dāśati, “makes offerings, bestows”)). Meaning ‘kind, pleasant’ is from 1902.

1. Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances.
2. Having a suitable conformity to basic moral standards; showing integrity, fairness, or other characteristics associated with moral uprightness.
3. Sufficiently clothed or dressed to be seen.

   “Are you decent? May I come in?”

4. Fair; acceptable; okay.

   “He's a decent saxophonist, but probably not good enough to make a career of it.”

   “A canister of flour from the kitchen had been thrown at the looking-glass and lay like trampled snow over the remains of a decent blue suit with the lining ripped out which lay on top of the ruin of a plastic wardrobe.”

5. Significant; substantial.

   “There are a decent number of references out there, if you can find them.”

6. Conforming to perceived standards of good taste.

   “I had a cup of tea - the last decent cup of tea for many days; and in a room that most soothingly looked just as you would expect a lady’s drawing-room to look, we had a long quiet chat by the fireside.”

7. Comely; shapely; well-formed.

   “And ſable ſtole of Cipres Lawn, Over thy decent ſhoulders drawn.”

noun

1. Misspelling of descent.