[hon.est] adj [ME, fr. MF honeste, fr. L honestus honorable, fr. honos, honor honor] (14c) 1 a: free from fraud or deception: legitimate, truthful "an ~ plea" b: genuine, real "making ~ stops at stop signs --Christian Science Monitor" c: humble, plain "good ~ food"
2. a: reputable, respectable "~ decent people" b chiefly Brit: good, worthy
3: creditable, praiseworthy "an ~ day's work"
4. a: marked by integrity b: marked by free, forthright, and sincere expression: frank "an ~ appraisal" c: innocent, simple syn see upright
[2]honest adv (1596) 1: in an honest manner: honestly "I have ever found thee ~ true --Shak."
2: with all sincerity "I didn't do it, ~"