English Dictionary

Definition of “ethic

ethic (ˈɛθɪkPronunciation for ethic

Definitions

noun

  1. a moral principle or set of moral values held by an individual or group  ⇒ the Puritan ethic 

adjective

  1. another word for ethical

See also

ethics

Word Origin

C15: from Latin ēthicus,  from Greek éthikos,  from ēthos custom; see ethos

Usage examples

  • The point is, they figure, as long as they bet on themselves they're living by the ethic.
    Tapply, William G, Follow the Sharks (1986)
  • With such a work ethic , you can bet her first acting job isn't going to be any direct-to-video horror clunker.
    Maxim (2004)
  • The one thing we've had is a great work ethic the last couple of games.
    Edmonton Sun (2003)
  • The Tyrone Minor team joint manager saw his Erne charges deploy their work ethic to good effect without quite dominating the opposition.
    Belfast Telegraph (2003)
  • Its values of equality and fraternity were to be found in the ethic of protestant dissent.
    Low, Nicholas, Politics, Planning and the State (1990)

Browse dictionary