dignity
n. uncountablen. the quality of being worthy of honor or respect. It also describes a calm and serious way of behaving that makes other people respect you.
n. the state or quality of being worthy of esteem or respect. Often refers to a composed, serious manner or the inherent value of a human being.
She kept her dignity even when she lost the game.
The hospital staff worked hard to ensure that every patient was treated with care and dignity.
Despite the harsh criticism from the press, the minister maintained his dignity and refused to engage in a public shouting match with his detractors.
Inherited from Middle English dignyte, from Old French dignité, from Latin dignitās (“worthiness, merit, dignity, grandeur, authority, rank, office”), from dignus (“worthy, appropriate”), from Proto-Italic degnos, from Proto-Indo-European dḱ-nos, from *deḱ- (“to take”). See also decus (“honor, esteem”) and decet (“it is fitting”). Cognate to deign. Doublet of dainty. In this sense, displaced native Old English weorþsċipe, which became Modern English worship.
Commonly used in the phrase 'with dignity' or 'to maintain one's dignity'.