All 11 Uses of
decorum
in
Tom Jones, by Henry Fielding
- ...was on her side contriving how to give the captain proper encouragement, without appearing too forward; for she was a strict observer of all rules of decorum.
Book 1 *decorum = proper manners and conduct
- Let this, my young readers, be your constant maxim, that no man can be good enough to enable him to neglect the rules of prudence; nor will Virtue herself look beautiful, unless she be bedecked with the outward ornaments of decency and decorum.†
Book 3
- There is no indecorum in the proposal's coming from the parent of either side.†
Book 6indecorum = a lack of manners and proper conductstandard prefix: The prefix "in-" in indecorum means not and reverses the meaning of decorum. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
- If I have not therefore importuned you on this head, you will impute it only to my fear of offending the lady, by endeavouring to hurry on so blessed an event faster than a strict compliance with all the rules of decency and decorum will permit.†
Book 7decorum = proper manners and conduct
- Brother, if I had not the patience of fifty Jobs, you would make me forget all decency and decorum.†
Book 10
- 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori Mors et fugacem persequitur virum Nec parcit imbellis juventae Poplitibus, timidoque tergo.'†
Book 12
- The utmost mirth, indeed, shewed itself in every countenance; nor was their ball totally void of all order and decorum.†
Book 12
- Some there are, however, of this rank upon whom passion exercises its tyranny, and hurries them far beyond the bounds which decorum prescribes; of these the ladies are as much distinguished by their noble intrepidity, and a certain superior contempt of reputation, from the frail ones of meaner degree, as a virtuous woman of quality is by the elegance and delicacy of her sentiments from the honest wife of a yeoman and shopkeeper.†
Book 14
- Nightingale, who well knew his uncle to be as headstrong as his father, submitted to attend him home, and then they both returned back into the room, where the old gentleman promised to carry himself with the same decorum which he had before maintained.†
Book 14
- There is a decorum to be used with a woman of figure, such as Lady Bellaston, brother, which requires a knowledge of the world, superior, I am afraid, to yours.†
Book 15
- "Brother," said she, "I am astonished at your behaviour; will you never learn any regard to decorum?†
Book 16
Definition:
manners and conduct considered to be proper and in good taste