ethical, a. [L. ethicus, Gr. , fr. custom, usage, character, dwelling; akin to custom, Goth. sidus, G. sitte, Skr. svadh, prob. orig., one's own doing; sva self + dh to set: cf. F. éthique. See So, Do.].

Of, or belonging to, morals; treating of the moral feelings or duties; containing percepts of morality; moral; as, ethic discourses or epistles; an ethical system; ethical philosophy. [1913 Webster]

"The ethical meaning of the miracles." [1913 Webster]

Ethical dative (Gram.), a use of the dative of a pronoun to signify that the person or thing spoken of is regarded with interest by some one; as, Quid mihi Celsus agit? How does my friend Celsus do?

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

ethical, adj.
1 relating to morals, esp. as concerning human conduct.
2 morally correct; honourable.
3 (of a medicine or drug) not advertised to the general public, and usu. available only on a doctor's prescription.

Derivative

ethicality n. ethically adv.

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THESAURUS

ethical

Christian, axiological, blameless, clean, conscientious, correct, creditable, decent, deferential, duteous, dutiful, elevated, erect, estimable, ethological, fair, full of integrity, good, high-minded, high-principled, highly respectable, honest, honorable, immaculate, inviolate, irreproachable, just, law-abiding, law-loving, law-revering, manly, moral, moralistic, noble, obedient, observant, open, principled, proper, pure, reputable, respectable, respectful, right, right-minded, righteous, scrupulous, spotless, stainless, sterling, straightforward, true-dealing, true-devoted, true-disposing, true-souled, true-spirited, truehearted, unblemished, uncorrupt, uncorrupted, undefiled, unimpeachable, unspotted, unstained, unsullied, untarnished, upright, uprighteous, upstanding, virtuous, worthy, yeomanly

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ROGET THESAURUS

ethical

Duty

N duty, what ought to be done, moral obligation, accountableness, liability, onus, responsibility, bounden duty, imperative duty, call, call of duty, accountability, allegiance, fealty, tie engagement, part, function, calling, morality, morals, decalogue, case of conscience, conscientiousness, conscience, inward monitor, still small voice within, sense of duty, tender conscience, superego, the hell within, dueness, propriety, fitness, seemliness, amenability, decorum, to prepon, the thing, the proper thing, the right thing to do, the proper thing to do, ethics, ethology, deontology, aretology, moral philosophy, ethical philosophy, casuistry, polity, observance, fulfillment, discharge, performance, acquittal, satisfaction, redemption, good behavior, obligatory, binding, imperative, peremptory, stringent, behooving, incumbent on, chargeable on, under obligation, obliged by, bound by, tied by, saddled with, due to, beholden to, bound to, indebted to, tied down, compromised, in duty bound, amenable, liable, accountable, responsible, answerable, right, meet, moral, ethical, casuistical, conscientious, ethological, with a safe conscience, as in duty, bound, on one's own responsibility, at one's own risk, suo periculo, in foro conscientiae, quamdiu se bene gesserit, dura lex sed lex, dulce et decorum est pro patria mori, honos habet onus, leve fit quod bene fertur onus, loyaute m'oblige, simple duty bath no place for fear, stern daughter of the voice of God, there is a higher law than the Constitution.

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