decent \de"cent\ (d[=e]"sent), a. [L. decens, decentis, p. pr.
   of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory,
   honor, ornament, Gr. dokei^n to seem good, to seem, think;
   cf. Skr. d[=a][,c] to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E.
   attire, tire: cf. F. d['e]cent. Cf. Decorate, Decorum,
   Deign.]
   1. Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming;
      fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent
      language. --Shak.
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            Before his decent steps.              --Milton.
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   2. Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest.
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   3. Comely; shapely; well-formed. [Archaic]
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            A sable stole of cyprus lawn
            Over thy decent shoulders drawn.      --Milton.
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            By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed. --Pope.
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   4. Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable;
      fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a
      decent fortune; a decent person.
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            A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs.
                                                  --Burke.
      -- De"cent*ly, adv. -- De"cent*ness, n.
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