Added 9 October 2026
deontology
/ˌdiːɒnˈtɒləd͡ʒi/ noun
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about deontology at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Synonym of ethics (“the study of principles relating to right and wrong conduct”). .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
- The normative ethical theory that the morality of an action is based on whether the action follows certain obligations or rules, rather than on its inherent goodness, consequences, etc.
Origin
Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek δέον (déon, “that which is binding, needful, proper, or right”) + English -ology (variant of -logy (suffix denoting a branch of learning or a study of a particular subject)). Δέον (Déon) is the neuter present participle of δεῖ (deî, “it behoves one to, it is necessary to, one must”), from δέω (déō, “to bind, tie; to fasten; to fetter”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *deh₁- (“to bind”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)