rectitude

UK: /ˈrɛktɪˌtjuːd/

US: /ˈrɛktɪˌtud, -ˌtjud/

US: (rek′ti to̅o̅d′, -tyo̅o̅d′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

rec•ti•tude /ˈrɛktɪˌtud, -ˌtyud/   n. [uncountable]

1. rightness of principle or conduct;
   moral virtue.

See -rect-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

rec•ti•tude  (rek′ti to̅o̅d′, -tyo̅o̅d′), n. 

1. rightness of principle or conduct;
   moral virtue:
   the rectitude of her motives.
2. correctness:
   rectitude of judgment.
3. straightness.

• Late Latin rēctitūdin- (stem of rēctitūdō) straightness, equivalent. to Latin rēct(us) right + -tūdin- -tude
• Middle French
• late Middle English 1400–50

Synonyms

• 1. integrity, probity, principle.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rectitude / ˈrɛktɪˌtjuːd/ noun

1. moral or religious correctness
2. correctness of judgment

Etymology: 15th Century: from Late Latin rectitūdō, from Latin rectus right, straight, from regere to rule