I. ˈänər(ə)bəl, -nrəb- adjective
Usage: see -or
Etymology: Middle English honourable, honorable, from Middle French, from Latin honorabilis, from honorare + -abilis -able
1.
a. obsolete : up to a standard of respectability (as in quality, size, amount) : decent , considerable
when he plays at tables, chides the dice in honorable terms — Shakespeare
b. : deserving of honor : admirable , dignified
judges are honorable for their high calling
marriage is an honorable estate — Book of Com. Prayer
2. : conferring honor
won an honorable mention for verse
3.
a. : of great renown : illustrious
comes of a family honorable for centuries
b. usually capitalized
(1) : belonging to a family or having a rank entitled to honor — used as a courtesy title for the younger children of earls and for all children of viscounts and barons and for maids of honor and also given to the wife of any man having a courtesy title; abbr. Hon. ; compare most honorable , right honorable
(2) : being of high eminence or dignity — used in the United States as a title or in a mode of reference for members of congress and of state legislatures, cabinet officers and their assistants, commissioners of bureaus, heads of state departments, judges, mayors of cities, and various other high government officials; abbr. Hon.
4.
a. : doing credit to the possessor
honorable wounds
b. : consistent with an untarnished reputation
honorable dismissal
honorable peace terms
5. : characterized by integrity : ethical , upright
Brutus is an honorable man — Shakespeare
honorable in all his dealings
assured her that his intentions were honorable
Synonyms: see upright
II. noun
( -s )
Usage: see -or
Etymology: Middle English honourable, honorable, from honourable, honorable, adjective
1.
a. : any of various members of British noble families
a host of little cousins, lords and honorables for playmates — Time
b. : any of various high British governmental officials to whom the title of Honorable is officially applied
2. : a person of rank or distinction
the guest list was studded with judges, congressmen, and other honorables