Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Dignity \Dig"ni*ty\, n.; pl. {Dignities}. [OE. dignete, dignite,
   OF. dignet['e], dignit['e], F. dignit['e], fr. L. dignitas,
   from dignus worthy. See {Dainty}, {Deign}.]
   1. The state of being worthy or honorable; elevation of mind
      or character; true worth; excellence.

   2. Elevation; grandeur.

            The dignity of this act was worth the audience of
            kings.                                --Shak.

   3. Elevated rank; honorable station; high office, political
      or ecclesiastical; degree of excellence; preferment;
      exaltation. --Macaulay.

            And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been
            done to Mordecai for this?            --Esth. vi. 3.

            Reuben, thou art my firstborn, . . . the excellency
            of dignity, and the excellency of power. --Gen.
                                                  xlix. 3.

   4. Quality suited to inspire respect or reverence; loftiness
      and grace; impressiveness; stateliness; -- said of ??en,
      manner, style, etc.

            A letter written with singular energy and dignity of
            thought ??d language.                 --Macaulay.

   5. One holding high rank; a dignitary.

            These filthy dreamers . . . speak evil of dignities.
                                                  --Jude. 8.

   6. Fundamental principle; axiom; maxim. [Obs.]

            Sciences concluding from dignities, and principles
            known by themselves.                  --Sir T.
                                                  Browne.

   Syn: See {Decorum}.

   {To stand upon one's dignity}, to have or to affect a high
      notion of one's own rank, privilege, or character.

            They did not stand upon their dignity, nor give
            their minds to being or to seeming as elegant and as
            fine as anybody else.                 --R. G. White.

Source : WordNet®

dignity
     n 1: the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect; "it was
          beneath his dignity to cheat"; "showed his true dignity
          when under pressure" [syn: {self-respect}, {self-esteem},
           {self-regard}]
     2: formality in bearing and appearance; "he behaved with great
        dignity" [syn: {lordliness}, {gravitas}]
     3: high office or rank or station; "he respected the dignity of
        the emissaries"