1. the principles of right and wrong that are accepted by an individual or a social group (Freq. 1) - the Puritan ethic - a person with old-fashioned values • Syn: ethic, value-system, value orientation • Hypernyms: principle • Hyponyms: Chartism 2. the principle that conduct should be moral • Hypernyms: principle, precept • Hyponyms: categorical imperative