Definition of ethic
1a
: a set of moral principles : a theory or system of moral values
the present-day materialistic ethic an old-fashioned work ethic
—often used in plural but singular or plural in construction an elaborate ethicsChristian ethics
c
: a consciousness of moral importance
forge a conservation ethic
d
: a guiding philosophy
2
ethics plural
: a set of moral issues or aspects (such as rightness)
debated the ethics of human cloning
3
ethics plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for ethic
The first known use of ethic was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century