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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

decent \de"cent\ (d[=e]"sent), a. [L. decens, decentis, p. pr.
of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory,
honor, ornament, Gr. dokei^n to seem good, to seem, think;
cf. Skr. d[=a][,c] to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E.
attire, tire: cf. F. d['e]cent. Cf. {Decorate}, {Decorum},
{Deign}.]
1. Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming;
fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent
language. --Shak.
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Before his decent steps. --Milton.
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2. Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest.
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3. Comely; shapely; well-formed. [Archaic]
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A sable stole of cyprus lawn
Over thy decent shoulders drawn. --Milton.
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By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed. --Pope.
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4. Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable;
fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a
decent fortune; a decent person.
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A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs.
--Burke.
-- {De"cent*ly}, adv. -- {De"cent*ness}, n.
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