decent: [16] Decent comes ultimately from Latin decere ‘be fitting or suitable’, close relatives of which have produced decorate, dignity, and (from Greek) orthodox. Its present participial stem decent- was acquired by English, either directly or via French décent. => dainty, decorate, dignity, orthodox
decent (adj.)
1530s, "proper to one's station or rank," also "tasteful," from Middle French décent, or directly from Latin decentem (nominative decens) "becoming, seemly, fitting, proper," present participle of decere "to be fitting or suitable," from PIE *deke-, from root *dek- "to take, accept, to receive, greet, be suitable" (cognates: Greek dokein "to appear, seem, think," dekhesthai "to accept;" Sanskrit daśasyati "shows honor, is gracious," dacati "makes offerings, bestows;" Latin docere "to teach," decus "grace, ornament"). Meaning "kind, pleasant" is from 1902. Are you decent? (1949) was originally backstage theater jargon for "are you dressed."
