honor

I. 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 honors

> 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 honors

> 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 (honored; honoring) 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 • honoree noun • honorer noun