integrity
(ɪnˈtɛgrɪtɪ)
[ad. L. integritās wholeness, entireness, completeness, integrity, chastity, purity, f. integer, integr- whole, integer. Perh. in part a. F. integrité (c 1420 in Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. The condition of having no part or element taken away or wanting; undivided or unbroken state; material wholeness, completeness, entirety.
| 1533 More Answ. Poysoned Bk. Wks. 1095/1 Not y⊇ sacrifice nor oblacion, whyche to the integritie therof requyreth both the formes. a 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. i. iii. 93 Are there not among men some that want the integrity of their Limbs? 1756–82 J. Warton Ess. Pope (ed. 4) I. iii. 101 The poem before us is by no means destitute of a just integrity, and a lucid order. 1833 Lyell Princ. Geol. III. 192 The integrity of the cones..shows that the country has not been agitated by violent earthquakes. 1838 Sir W. Hamilton Logic xxiv. (1866) II. 2 Method, considered in its integrity, consists of two processes,—Analysis and Synthesis. 1868 G. Duff Pol. Surv. 44 To work for the integrity of the Ottoman Empire, and at the same time to promote its dismemberment, is to stultify one's-self. 1870 F. R. Wilson Ch. Lindisfarne 68 The walls were standing..though not in their integrity. |
† b. Something undivided; an integral whole.
| 1620 T. Granger Div. Logike 110 They be privatives of Originall integrities. Ibid. 111 They are somethings, id est, pravities contrarie to created integrities. |
2. The condition of not being marred or violated; unimpaired or uncorrupted condition; original perfect state; soundness.
| c 1450 Mirour Saluacioun 4316 When he [Christ] was borne savyng his moders integritee [glossed hir maydenhod]. 1550 Bale Apol. 122 (R.) In these and other lyke factes, was faythes integrite broken, whych is the true maydenhede of y⊇ soule. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. ii. 114 He did but restore the law to her integritie. 1638 F. Junius Paint. of Ancients 118 Why the integritie of workmanship is now adayes put down by false and adulterate wayes. 1650 Bulwer Anthropomet. 224 Natures constant provision to preserve virginal integrity. 1783 Johnson Let. to Mrs. Thrale 19 June, This prayer, that I might try the integrity of my faculties, I made in Latin verse. 1881 Westcott & Hort Grk. N.T. Introd. §85 Any investigation of the ultimate integrity of the text. |
3. In moral sense. † a. Unimpaired moral state; freedom from moral corruption; innocence, sinlessness. Obs.
| 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. i. 54 In this integritie, man had freewil, wherby if he would he might haue atteined eternall life. 1622 T. Scott Belg. Pismire 1 Adam in his integritie should have wrought, but without wearinesse. 1675 Traherne Chr. Ethics 55 In his corruption, he might possibly retain a sence of that nature and life, which he enjoyed in his integrity. 1678 Owen Mind of God ii. 41 The State of Integrity. |
b. Soundness of moral principle; the character of uncorrupted virtue, esp. in relation to truth and fair dealing; uprightness, honesty, sincerity.
| 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VI 185 b, So much estemed..for his liberalitie, clemencie, integritie, and corage. 1599 Life More in Wordsw. Eccl. Biog. (1853) II. 157 That he might reserve the integritie of a good conscience. 1611 Bible Prov. xix. 1 Better is the poore that walketh in his integrity, then he that is peruerse in his lippes, and is a foole. 1639 S. Du Verger tr. Camus' Admir. Events 12 Who for a kingdome would not have blemished her integrity. 1795 Gentl. Mag. 543/1 In integrity of heart and uprightness of intention he was excelled by few. 1850 M{supc}Cosh Div. Govt. iii. i. (1874) 276 Mankind do, in fact, trust in a person known to be of thorough integrity, that he will always be upright. |