The morality of an action is founded in the freedom
of that principle, by virtue of which it is in the
agent's power, having all things ready and requisite
to the performance of an action, either to perform
or not perform it. --South.
2. The quality of an action which renders it good; the
conformity of an act to the accepted standard of right.
Of moralitee he was the flower. --Chaucer.
I am bold to think that morality is capable of
demonstration. --Locke.
3. The doctrines or rules of moral duties, or the duties of
men in their social character; ethics.
The end of morality is to procure the affections to
obey reason, and not to invade it. --Bacon.
The system of morality to be gathered out of . . .
ancient sages falls very short of that delivered in
the gospel. --Swift.
4. The practice of the moral duties; rectitude of life;
conformity to the standard of right; virtue; as, we often
admire the politeness of men whose morality we question.
5. A kind of allegorical play, so termed because it consisted
of discourses in praise of morality between actors
representing such characters as Charity, Faith, Death,
Vice, etc. Such plays were occasionally exhibited as late
as the reign of Henry VIII. --Strutt.
6. Intent; meaning; moral. [Obs.]
Taketh the morality thereof, good men. --Chaucer.