propriety
n. uncountablen. the quality of being polite and behaving in a way that is socially acceptable. It is about following the rules of good manners and respect.
n. the quality of being appropriate, polite, and socially acceptable. Often refers to the adherence to established standards of behavior and decorum.
She maintained her propriety even when the situation was difficult.
The young diplomat was careful to observe all the propriety of the royal court to avoid any diplomatic offense.
In an era of digital transparency, the traditional propriety of private correspondence has been largely replaced by the immediacy and informality of instant messaging.
From late Middle English proprietee, propretee, propriete (“ownership”), borrowed from Anglo-Norman propreté, Middle French proprieté, from Latin proprietās. By surface analysis, prop(e)r + -iety. Doublet of property.