decent (dēs&eitalic_;nt), 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. dāç to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E. attire, tire: cf. F. décent. 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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