I. ˈä-nər noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French onur, honur, from Latin honos, honor
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : good name or public esteem : reputation
b. : a showing of usually merited respect : recognition
pay honor to our founder
2. : privilege
had the honor of joining the captain for dinner
3. : a person of superior standing — now used especially as a title for a holder of high office
if Your Honor please
4. : one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit
an honor to the profession
5. : the center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon
6. : an evidence or symbol of distinction: as
a. : an exalted title or rank
b.
(1) : badge , decoration
(2) : a ceremonial rite or observance
buried with full military honor s
c. : an award in a contest or field of competition
d. archaic : a gesture of deference : bow
e. plural
(1) : an academic distinction conferred on a superior student
(2) : a course of study for superior students supplementing or replacing a regular course
7. : chastity , purity
fought fiercely for her honor and her life — Barton Black
8.
a. : a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity
wouldn't do it as a matter of honor
b. : one's word given as a guarantee of performance
on my honor , I will be there
9. plural : social courtesies or civilities extended by a host
asked her to do the honor s
10.
a.
(1) : an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit in bridge
(2) : the scoring value of honors held in bridge — usually used in plural
b. : the privilege of playing first from the tee in golf
Synonyms:
honor , homage , reverence , deference mean respect and esteem shown to another. honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition
the nomination is an honor
homage adds the implication of accompanying praise
paying homage to Shakespeare
reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe
great reverence for my father
deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence
showed no deference to their elders
Synonym: see in addition honesty .
II. transitive verb
( hon·ored ; hon·or·ing ˈä-nə-riŋ, ˈän-riŋ)
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : to regard or treat with honor or respect
b. : to confer honor on
2.
a. : to live up to or fulfill the terms of
honor a commitment
b. : to accept as payment
honor a credit card
3. : to salute with a bow in square dancing
• hon·or·ee ˌä-nə-ˈrē noun
• hon·or·er ˈä-nər-ər noun