• Honour

    Pronunciation

    • RP IPA: /ˈɒnÉ™/
    • GenAm IPA: /ˈɑnÉš/
    • Rhymes: -É’nÉ™(ɹ)

    Alternative forms

    Origin

    From Anglo-Norman honour, honur, from Old French honor, from Latin honor. Displaced native Middle English menske ("honor, dignity among men"), from Old English mensk ("honor").

    Full definition of honour

    Noun

    honour

    (countable and uncountable; plural honours)
    (British spelling)
    1. (uncountable) Recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration (of someone, usually for being morally upright and/or competent).The crowds gave the returning general much honor and praise.
      • The King James Bible, Matthew 13.57:A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country.
      • 1902, Richard Francis Weymouth, Translation of the New Testament of the Bible, Book 60, 1 Peter 2:4:Come to Him, the ever-living Stone, rejected indeed by men as worthless, but in God's esteem chosen and held in honour.
    2. (uncountable) The state of being morally upright, honest, noble, virtuous, and magnanimous; the perception of such a state; favourable reputation; dignity.His honour is at stake.She swore on her honour.
    3. (archaic) Excellence of character; high moral worth; virtue.
      • unknown date, Shakespeare:If she have forgot
        Honour and virtue.
      • unknown date, Milton:Godlike erect, with native honour clad.
    4. (countable) A token of praise or respect; something that represents praiseworthiness or respect, such as an award given by the state to a citizen.Honours are normally awarded twice a year: on The Queen's Birthday in June and at the New Year.He wore an honour on his breast.military honours; civil honoursAudie Murphy received many honors, such as the Distinguished Service Cross.
      • unknown date, Dryden:their funeral honours
    5. A privilege.I had the honour of dining with the ambassador.
    6. (in the plural) The privilege of going first.I'll let you have the honors, Bob—go ahead.
    7. A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament.He is an honour to his nation.
    8. (feudal law) A seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended.
    9. (heraldry) The centre point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon; also honour point.
    10. (card games) In bridge, an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit. In some other games, an ace, king, queen or jack.
    11. (golf) The right to play one's ball before one's opponent plays his.
    12. (in the plural) =honours degree: a university qualification of the highest rank.At university I took honours in modern history.

    Synonyms

    Derived terms

    Verb

    1. (transitive) To think of highly, to respect highly, to recognise the importance or spiritual value of.The freedom fighters will be forever remembered and honoured by the people.
    2. (transitive) To confer an honour or privilege upon (someone).Ten members of the profession were honoured at the ceremony.The prince honoured me with an invitation to his birthday banquet.
    3. (transitive) To conform to, abide by, act in accordance with (an agreement, treaty, promise, request, or the like).I trusted you, but you have not honoured your promise.refuse to honor the test ban treaty
    4. (transitive) To make payment in respect of (a cheque, banker's draft etc).I'm sorry Sir, but the bank did not honour your cheque.

    Synonyms

    Derived terms

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