honor

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Recognition of importance or value

   Recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration (of someone, usually for being morally upright or successful).

   • The crowds gave the returning general much honor and praise.
   • A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country.
   • And when the long-illumined cities flame, / Their ever-loyal iron leader's fame, / With honour, honour, honour, honour to him, / Eternal honour to his name.
2. 2

   The state of being morally upright, honest, noble, virtuous, and magnanimous

   The state of being morally upright, honest, noble, virtuous, and magnanimous; excellence of character; the perception of such a state; favourable reputation; dignity.

   • He was a most perfect knight, for he had great honor and chivalry.
   • His honor was unstained.
3. 3

   A token of praise or respect

   A token of praise or respect; something that represents praiseworthiness or respect, such as a prize or award given by the state to a citizen.

   • Honors are normally awarded twice a year: on The Queen's Birthday in June and at the New Year.
   • He wore an honor on his breast.
   • military honors; civil honors
4. ›+ 15 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A privilege (which honors the person experiencing it).

      • I had the honour of dining with the ambassador.
   2. 5

      The privilege of going first.

      • I'll let you have the honours, Bob—go ahead.
   3. 6

      A cause of respect and fame

      A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament.

      • He is an honour to his nation.
   4. 7

      A seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended.

      • The lorde of the honour or manour
   5. 8

      The center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon (compare honour point).

   6. 9

      In bridge, an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit

      In bridge, an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit; in some other games, an ace, king, queen or jack.

   7. 10

      (Courses for) an honours degree

      (Courses for) an honours degree: a university qualification of the highest rank.

      • At university I took honours in modern history.
   8. 11

      To think of highly, to respect highly

      To think of highly, to respect highly; to show respect for; to recognise the importance or spiritual value of.

      • The freedom fighters will be forever remembered and honored by the people.
   9. 12

      To conform to, abide by, act in accordance with (an agreement, treaty, promise, request,…

      To conform to, abide by, act in accordance with (an agreement, treaty, promise, request, or the like).

      • I trusted you, but you have not honored your promise.
      • Our wishes were honored by changing the date of the wedding.
      • Some application software does not honor the theme colors chosen in the operating system settings.
   10. 13

       To confer (bestow) an honour or privilege upon (someone).

       • Ten members of the profession were honored at the ceremony.
       • The prince honored me with an invitation to his birthday banquet.
   11. 14

       To make payment in respect of (a cheque, banker's draft, etc.).

       • I'm sorry Sir, but the bank did not honour your cheque.
   12. 15

       On one's honor

       On one's honor; truthfully.

       • “Not a ha’porth. Different gangs and different ships. He was tried again for prison breaking, and got made a Lifer.” “And was that—Honour!—the only time you worked out, in this part of the country?” “The only time.”
   13. 16

       A female given name from English.

       • They had named the baby Honor because Eugenie had been moved by Honoré de Balzac's Le Père Goriot in her French class.
   14. 17

       A surname.

   15. 18

       Former name of Honnavar (“Indian town”).

The neighborhood

• synonymchivalry
• synonymglory
• synonymgentlemanliness
• antonymdishonor
• antonymdishonour