dignity

Universal Words noun [U] 1 a calm and serious manner that deserves respect: She accepted the criticism with quiet dignity. 2 the fact of being given honour and respect by people: the dignity of work * The terminally ill should be allowed to die with dignity. 3 a sense of your own importance and value: It's difficult to preserve your dignity when you have no job and no home. IDIOMS beneath your dignity below what you see as your own importance or worth stand on your dignity (formal) to demand to be treated with the respect that you think that you deserve: Our teacher never stands on her dignity with us, but treats us all as friends and colleagues.