decent: [16] Decent comes ultimately from Latin decere ‘be fitting or suitable’, close relatives of which have produced decorate, dignity, and (from Greek) orthodox. Its present participial stem decent- was acquired by English, either directly or via French décent. => dainty, decorate, dignity, orthodox
decent (adj.)
1530s, "proper to one's station or rank," also "tasteful," from Middle French décent, or directly from Latin decentem (nominative decens) "becoming, seemly, fitting, proper," present participle of decere "to be fitting or suitable," from PIE *deke-, from root *dek- "to take, accept, to receive, greet, be suitable" (cognates: Greek dokein "to appear, seem, think," dekhesthai "to accept;" Sanskrit daśasyati "shows honor, is gracious," dacati "makes offerings, bestows;" Latin docere "to teach," decus "grace, ornament"). Meaning "kind, pleasant" is from 1902. Are you decent? (1949) was originally backstage theater jargon for "are you dressed."
双语例句
1. I went to Brooks Brothers and bought myself a decent shirt.
我去布鲁克斯兄弟专卖店给自己买了一件体面的衬衫。
来自柯林斯例句
2. You need hard currency to get anything halfway decent.
你得有硬通货才能买到还算不错的东西。
来自柯林斯例句
3. He must make a decent living from other artists covering his songs.
其他艺术家翻唱他的歌曲，一定使他过上了收入颇为可观的生活。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The lack of a decent education did not defeat Rey.
缺乏良好的教育并没有挡住雷伊。
来自柯林斯例句
5. He attacked the food as quickly as decent table manners allowed.