honor

Etymology

From Middle English honour, honor, honur, from Anglo-Norman honour, honur, from Old French honor, from Latin honor. Displaced Middle English menske (“honor, dignity among men”), from Old Norse menskr (“honor”) (see mensk). The verb is from Middle English honouren, honuren (“to honor”).

noun

1. (uncountable) Recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration (of someone, usually for being morally upright or successful).
   The crowds gave the returning general much honor and praise.
2. (uncountable) The state of being morally upright, honest, noble, virtuous, and magnanimous; excellence of character; the perception of such a state; favourable reputation; dignity.
   He was a most perfect knight, for he had great honor and chivalry.
   His honor was unstained.
   Prothean: Those who share my purpose become allies. Those who do not become casualties. Shepard: Nothing in our fight against the Reapers has been that cut-and-dried. Prothean: Because you still have hope that this war will end with your honor intact. Shepard: I do. Prothean: Stand in the ashes of a trillion dead souls and ask the ghosts if honor matters. Prothean: The silence is your answer. 2012, BioWare, Mass Effect 3: From Ashes (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, PC, scene: Normandy SR-2
3. (countable) A token of praise or respect; something that represents praiseworthiness or respect, such as a prize or award given by the state to a citizen.
   Honors are normally awarded twice a year: on The Queen's Birthday in June and at the New Year.
   He wore an honor on his breast.
   military honors; civil honors
   Audie Murphy received many honors, such as the Distinguished Service Cross.
4. A privilege (which honors the person experiencing it).
   I had the honour of dining with the ambassador.
5. (in the plural) The privilege of going first.
   I'll let you have the honours, Bob—go ahead.
   1. (golf) The right to play one's ball before one's opponent.
6. A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament.
   He is an honour to his nation.
7. (feudal law) A seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended.
   The lorde of the honour or manour 1523, Anthony Fitzherbert, Book of Surveying
8. (heraldry, countable) The center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon (compare honour point).
9. (countable, 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.
10. (in the plural) (Courses for) an honours degree: a university qualification of the highest rank.
    At university I took honours in modern history.

verb

1. (transitive) To think of highly, to respect highly; to show respect for; to recognise the importance or spiritual value of.
   The freedom fighters will be forever remembered and honored by the people.
2. (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 honored your promise.
   refuse to honor the test ban treaty
3. (transitive) To confer (bestow) an honour or privilege upon (someone).
   Ten members of the profession were honored at the ceremony.
   The prince honored me with an invitation to his birthday banquet.
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.

intj

1. (archaic) On one's honor; truthfully.
   “Not a ha’porth. Different gangs and different ships. He was tried again for prison breaking, and got made a Lifer.” “And was that—Honour!—the only time you worked out, in this part of the country?” “The only time.” 1861, Charles Dickens, Great Expectations