Integritas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The quality of being whole and undivided ; adherence to moral and ethical principles ; the state of soundness or completeness without corruption
2. The condition of being complete or entire ; conformity to ethical standards and honesty ; possessing consistency and unity in character or structure
3. A state marked by unbroken completeness and moral uprightness ; observance of truthfulness and fairness in behavior ; the property of being robust and unimpaired in condition

Etymology: Latin "integritas" came from "integer," meaning "whole" or "untouched," a word built from "in-" (not) and "tangere" (to touch). So the root idea is something that has not been touched or divided. The same stem gave English "integer," a whole number, and "entire" and "integrate." The moral sense developed within Latin itself. Roman writers used "integritas" to describe a person who was blameless, uncorrupted and reliable, someone whose character had not been "touched" by bribery or disgrace. Over time the word moved from describing physical completeness toward describing a sound and unbroken character. English borrowed the word from Latin, and its meanings there follow the same two strands: soundness or wholeness on one side, and honesty or moral uprightness on the other.

Synonyms: integrity, honesty, uprightness, probity, rectitude

Antonyms: dishonesty, corruption, fraud, deceit, duplicity