Decency \De"cen*cy\, n.; pl. Decencies. [L. decentia, fr. decens: cf. F. d['e]cence. See Decent.]

1. The quality or state of being decent, suitable, or becoming, in words or behavior; propriety of form in social intercourse, in actions, or in discourse; proper formality; becoming ceremony; seemliness; hence, freedom from obscenity or indecorum; modesty.

Observances of time, place, and of decency in general. --Burke.

Immodest words admit of no defense, For want of decency is want of sense. --Roscommon.

2. That which is proper or becoming.

The external decencies of worship. --Atterbury.

Those thousand decencies, that daily flow From all her words and actions. --Milton.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)