ˈɔnə n. & v. (US honor) --n. 1
high respect;
glory;
credit,
reputation,
good name. 2 adherence to
what is
right or to a
conventional standard of
conduct. 3 nobleness of
mind, magnanimity (honour
among thieves). 4 a
thing conferred as a
distinction,
esp. an
official award for bravery or
achievement. 5 (foll. by of +
verbal noun, or to + infin.)
privilege,
special right (had
the honour of
being invited). 6 a exalted
position. b (Honour) (prec. by
your,
his, etc.) a
title of a
circuit judge, US a
mayor,
and Ir. or in
rustic speech any person of rank. 7 (foll. by to) a person or thing
that brings honour (she is an honour to
her profession). 8 a (of a woman)
chastity. b the reputation for
this. 9 (in pl.) a special distinction for proficiency in an
examination. b a
course of
degree studies
more specialized
than for an
ordinary pass. 10 a Bridge the
ace,
king,
queen,
jack, and
ten, esp. of trumps, or the
four aces at no trumps. b Whist the ace, king, queen, and jack, esp. of trumps. 11
Golf the right of driving
off first as having
won the last
hole (it is my honour). --v.tr. 1 respect
highly. 2
confer honour
on. 3
accept or pay (a bill or cheque)
when due. 4
acknowledge. ødo the honours
perform the duties of a host to guests etc. honour
bright colloq. = on my honour. honour
point Heraldry the point
halfway between the top of a
shield and the fesse point. honours are even
there is
equality in the
contest. honours list a list of persons awarded honours. honours of
war privileges granted to a capitulating force, e.g. that of marching
out with colours
flying. honour
system a system of examinations etc.
without supervision, relying on the honour of
those concerned. honour-trick =
quick trick. in honour bound = on one's honour. in honour of as a celebration
of. on one's honour (usu. foll. by to + infin.)
under a
moral obligation. on (or upon) my honour an
expression of sincerity. [ME f. OF (h)onor (n.), onorer (v.) f. L
honor, honarare]