honor
pronunciation
How to pronounce honor in British English:
UK [ˈɒnə]
How to pronounce honor in American English:
US [ˈɑːnər]
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- Noun:
- a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
- the state of being honored
- the quality of being honorable and having a good name
- a woman's virtue or chastity
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- Verb:
- bestow honor or rewards upon
- show respect towards
- accept as pay
Word Origin
- honor (n.)
- c. 1200, "glory, renown, fame earned," from Anglo-French honour, Old French honor (Modern French honneur), from Latin honorem (nominative honos, later honor) "honor, dignity, office, reputation," of unknown origin. Till 17c., honour and honor were equally frequent; the former now preferred in England, the latter in U.S. by influence of Noah Webster's spelling reforms. Meaning "a woman's chastity" first attested late 14c. Honors "distinction in scholarship" attested by 1782. Honor roll in the scholastic sense attested by 1872. To do the honors (1650s) originally meant the customary civilities and courtesies at a public entertainment, etc.
- honor (v.)
- mid-13c., honuren, "to do honor to," from Old French honorer, from Latin honorare, from honor (see honor (n.)). In the commercial sense of "accept a bill due, etc.," it is recorded from 1706. Related: Honored; honoring. A custom more honoured in the breach than the observance. Whoever will look up the passage (Hamlet I. iv. 16) will see that it means, beyond a doubt, a custom that one deserves more honour for breaking than for keeping: but it is often quoted in the wrong & very different sense of a dead letter or rule more often broken than kept. [Fowler]
Antonym
Example
- 1. I want to thank harvard for this honor .
- 2. Qingming is an annual festival where chinese honor the dead .
- 3. That honor would fall to glenn 11 months later .
- 4. I honor anyone who listens voluntarily .
- 5. In heraldry yellow indicates honor and loyalty .