immoraladj.n.
/ɪˈmɒrəl/ A. adj. The opposite of moral; not moral.† 2. Not having a moral nature or character; non-moral. Obsolete. rare.
1. Not consistent with, or not conforming to, moral law or requirement; opposed to or violating morality; morally evil or impure; unprincipled, vicious, dissolute. (Of persons, things, actions, etc.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > immorality > [adjective]
unlawfula1387
unprincipled1644
immoral1660
unmoralized1668
non-moral1858
moralless1869
unethic1871
unethical1871
messy1914
society > morality > moral evil > [adjective] > immoral or unethical
unlawfula1387
viciousc1386
immoral1660
unmoralized1668
non-moral1858
unethic1871
unethical1871
messy1914
1660 R. Coke Elements Power & Subjection 80 in Justice Vindicated If a man be obliged to his will, then..every man is obliged to do any thing because he hath willed it, then which there is nothing can be more immoral and destructive to all society.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 533 A learned but a very immoral man.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. ii. Concl. 290 The same dissolute immoral Temper of Mind.
1841 T. B. Macaulay Comic Dramatists in Ess. (1887) 596 Morality is deeply interested in this—that what is immoral shall not be presented to the imagination of the young and susceptible in constant connection with what is attractive.
1848 J. J. S. Wharton Law Lexicon 308/2 Immoral contracts, all contracts founded upon considerations contra bonos mores, are void.
1860 Pearson in National Rev. Oct. 370 The times were gross, and their literature is often impure, but it is not immoral; it does not debauch the soul.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > [adjective] > of rights or obligations
unmoral1627
moral1690
immorala1761
amoral1882
a1761 Bp. T. Sherlock Serm. II. 130 Whatever reason they [brutes] have, it is..exercised only with regard to their own wants and desires, and this renders them immoral agents.
B. n.
1. (nonce-uses, in opposition to moral n.: see quots.)
ΚΠ
1863 W. C. Dowding Life & Corr. G. Calixtus xv. 131 To sketch the morals (or immorals) of the times he lived in.
1896 Ainger in B'ham Inst. Mag. Mar. 292 It is thought foolish now to point a moral. At the same time what may be called an immoral, is held..eminently artistic.
2. An immoral person.
ΚΠ
1900 Pop. Sci. Monthly 56 459 Women..having their finer sensibilities offended through the public intrusion of the immorals of the lower world.
Derivatives
iˈmmoralness n. immorality.
ΚΠ
1727 in N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online September 2018).
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adj.n.1660