Other forms: decora
Decorum is behaviour that fits what the occasion demands. Observe decorum, a breach of decorum, with due decorum.
It is about fit rather than about politeness — laughing loudly is decorous at a party and not at a funeral, and the word measures the match. In parliament, decorum is enforced by the Speaker. The Latin means what is fitting.
1noundecorumBehaviour that fits what the occasion demands.
“The guests behaved with perfect decorum during the funeral service.”
decorum is a standard of behaviour.
Latin decorum means what is proper, the neuter of decorus, seemly, from decet, it is fitting. Decent is a relative.
Proto-Indo-European
*deḱ-
Latin
decōrum
English, today
decorum
Built from
Latin decōrum, neuter form of decōrus (“proper, decent”).
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA