noun
virtue; bright virtue
A Confucian and philosophical term for luminous moral virtue, often associated with the innate goodness of human nature. Not an everyday word; mainly encountered in classical or academic contexts.
大学の教えでは、明徳を明らかにすることが大切とされる。
In the teachings of the Great Learning, it is considered important to manifest one's bright virtue.
noun
Meitoku era
A historical Japanese era name (年号). It originally referred to the Northern Court period (1390–1392) and then continued for the reunified court (1392–1394). Used only in historical contexts.
明徳の和約は1392年に結ばれた。
The Meitoku Peace Treaty was concluded in 1392.