honour
/ˈɒnə
/(US honor)
noun
1 [mass noun] High respect; great esteem: his portrait hangs in the place of honour...
- The women emphasized the importance of reclaiming tradition and returning honour and respect to women for the roles they perform in their families and communities.
- They were given oats, meal, turnips, in honour and respect for the way in which they cared for and kept Jesus warm on the night of his birth, with their breath, in the cold stable.
- It is the duty of all families to teach honour and respect for women to their sons.
Synonyms
distinction, privilege, glory, tribute, kudos, cachet, prestige, fame, renown, merit, credit, importance, illustriousness, notability;
respect, esteem, approbation
1.1 [in singular] A person or thing that brings esteem: you are an honour to our profession...
- The book, as Mickie points out, is an honour to the memory of Harin Da.
- You are an honor to your husband and your country and yourself.
- He is the epitome of an American hero, he is an honor to our nation.
1.2 (His, Your, etc. Honour) A title of respect or form of address given to a circuit judge, a US mayor, and (in Irish or rustic speech) any person of rank.Judge Brodrick's father, His Honour, Judge Norman Brodrick, QC, was Recorder of Portsmouth....
- The Appellant was tried by His Honour Judge Cavell and a jury between 15th and 26th November 1999.
- Of course not, Your Honour, nothing could be further from the truth.
2The quality of knowing and doing what is morally right: I must as a matter of honour avoid any taint of dishonesty...
- Chivalry is defined as a combination of qualities including courage, honour, courtesy and a readiness to help the weak.
- It is a depressing thought that any nation of free people would sell its honour so cheaply.
- As a future parent, I hope to raise a son who will understand and exhibit the qualities of faith, honor, and integrity.
Synonyms
integrity, honourableness, honesty, uprightness, ethics, morals, morality, principle, (high) principles, righteousness, rectitude, nobility, high-mindedness, right-mindedness, noble-mindedness;
virtue, goodness, decency, probity, scrupulousness, worthiness, worth, fairness, justness, justice, truthfulness, trustworthiness, reliability, dependability, faithfulness, fidelity
2.1 dated A woman’s chastity or her reputation for being chaste: she died defending her honour...
- Few have heard of Col. Ralston but he was a fearless defender of western Christian values and the honor of chaste young women.
- A tremendous amount of energy is spent to either preserve the honor of a maiden, or to take it from her.
- Several Dutch historians have pointed out that when it concerned reputation, women were anxious to preserve their sexual honour.
Synonyms
chastity, virginity, virtue, maidenhood, maidenhead, purity, innocence, modesty
informal cherry
Theology immaculateness
3Something regarded as a rare opportunity and bringing pride and pleasure; a privilege: Mrs Young had the honour of being received by the Queen...
- Last, but not least, I deem it an honour and a rare privilege to write about her.
- Serving with a parliamentarian of Richard Prebble's calibre has been a rare honour and privilege.
- This opportunity is an honor and a privilege and I think it is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Synonyms
privilege, pleasure, pride, satisfaction, joy, compliment, favour, source of pleasure, source of pride
3.1A thing conferred as a distinction, especially an official award for bravery or achievement: the highest military honours...
- His knighthood is the latest of dozens of awards and honours conferred on him.
- The key to preparing successful nominations for honours, awards and decorations is to read and follow the guidelines provided.
- The Geological Society of London awarded him its highest honour, the Wollaston Medal, for his pioneering work in marine geology and sedimentology.
Synonyms
accolade, award, reward, prize, decoration, distinction, order, title, medal, ribbon, star, laurel, laurel wreath, bay, palm
Military, informal fruit salad
British informal gong
3.2 (honours) A special distinction for proficiency in an examination: she passed with honours...
- She overcame his resistance, qualified with honours, and set up practice in London.
- After playing the electronic keyboard for several years, he took his grade 5 exam and passed with honours.
- Out of 60 exams taken, 33 passed with Honours and the remaining 27 with Highly Commended.
3.3 (honours) A course of degree studies more specialized than for an ordinary pass: [as modifier]: an honours degree in mathematics...
- He is hoping to continue his studies and gain an honours degree in natural sciences.
- After two years she quit in favour of a sound engineering course in Glasgow, followed by an honours degree course in world religions.
- Unlike traditional honours degrees, the courses are designed in conjunction with employers to meet skills shortages.
3.4 Golf The right of driving off first, having won the previous hole: Kyle had the honour at the last hole...
- Much has been made of the way Woods played the 72nd hole in Dubai, ending up with a double bogey seven, but all credit to Bjorn who birdied the previous hole to win the honour and then sent a cracking drive down the last.
- For example, if he has the honor and hits his tee shot into the woods, you may want to forget about hitting your driver and choose a 3-wood or long iron instead, just to keep the ball in play.
4 Bridge An ace, king, queen, jack, or ten.There are five honours, viz: - Ace, King, Queen, Knave and Ten, if trumps are declared....
- As there is no skill in scoring for honours, players often agree to play without the honour bonuses.
- A side which held three of the four honours can claim 2 points for them.
4.1 (honours) Possession in one’s hand of at least four of the ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of trumps, or of all four aces in no trumps, for which a bonus is scored.
4.2(In whist) an ace, king, queen, or jack of trumps.A partnership which between them held all four honours in their hands score an extra 4 points, which they claim at the end of the play....
- Points are also scored for honors, which are the Ace, King, Queen, and Jack of trumps.
verb [with object]
1Regard with great respect: Joyce has now learned to honour her father’s memory (as adjective honoured) an honoured guest...
- His son John Scott Junior was among honoured guests invited for the occasion.
- Another honoured guest was the Consulate General of Japan for Cultural Affairs, who also attended the ceremonies.
- Thus we should be honoured guests when we enter these establishments.
Synonyms
hold in great respect, hold in high esteem, have a high regard for, esteem, respect, admire, defer to, look up to, think highly of;
appreciate, value, prize, cherish;
reverence, revere, venerate, worship
informal put on a pedestal
1.1Pay public respect to: talented writers were honoured at a special ceremony...
- Tens of thousands of people turned out on Saturday for public events to honour the sacrifices of the war veterans and fallen soldiers.
- Children who attend public schools honor the national flag and sing the national anthem every Monday morning.
- As students sporting mortarboards and clutching scrolls are awarded their degrees in July, the university takes the opportunity to honour public figures for their achievements.
Synonyms
applaud, acclaim, praise, salute, recognize, celebrate, commemorate, commend, glorify, hail, lionize, exalt, fete, eulogize, give credit to, pay homage to, pay tribute to, show appreciation of, give accolades to, sing the praises of, sing paeans to
archaic magnify
rare laud, panegyrize, emblazon
2Fulfil (an obligation) or keep (an agreement): make sure the franchisees honour the terms of the contract...
- This Parliament should have honoured those agreements; it should have honoured its obligations.
- If she died before the settlement was rubber-stamped, the State would have had no legal obligation to honour the agreement.
- They weren't happy about the payments but they never the less honoured their obligation to tour here.
Synonyms
fulfil, observe, keep, discharge, implement, perform, execute, effect, obey, heed, follow, carry out, carry through, keep to, abide by, adhere to, comply with, conform to, act in accordance with, be true to, be faithful to, live up to
rare effectuate
2.1Accept (a bill) or pay (a cheque) when due: the bank informed him that the cheque would not be honoured...
- In the first place, he instructs the drawee to honour the bill.
- Since then, no other suitor has come forward for the troubled automaker and some fear if the company fails to honor the bills Tuesday, it will become even harder for it to find a foreign partner or buyer.
- A bank can also refuse to honour company cheques if the company is not on the register.
Synonyms
cash, accept, take, clear, pass, encash, convert into cash, convert into money
Phrases
do the honours
honour bright
honours are even
in honour bound
in honour of
on one's honour
there's honour among thieves
Origin
Middle English: from Old French onor (noun), onorer (verb), from Latin honos, honor.
Latin honor is the source of honour and of honest and honesty (both Middle English). The idea that there is honour among thieves was expressed even in the early 17th century. The English philosopher Jeremy Bentham was the first to put it in print in its modern form when he wrote in 1802: ‘A sort of honour may be found (according to a proverbial saying) even among thieves.’ The plant honesty is named from its diaphanous seed pods, translucency symbolizing lack of deceit.