De"cen*cy (?), n.; pl. Decencies (#). [L. decentia, fr. decens: cf. F. décence. See Decent.] 1. The quality or state of being decent, suitable, or becoming, in words or behavior; propriety of form in social intercourse, in actions, or in discourse; proper formality; becoming ceremony; seemliness; hence, freedom from obscenity or indecorum; modesty.

Observances of time, place, and of decency in general.

Immodest words admit of no defense,
For want of decency is want of sense.

2. That which is proper or becoming.

The external decencies of worship.

Those thousand decencies, that daily flow
From all her words and actions.

• the quality of being decent; propriety