Meaning and Origin
What does the name Honor mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Honor
User Submitted Origins
Latin
50%
Anglo-Saxon
28%
American
11%
African American
6%
African
6%
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Hon"or
Senses
- Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence; veneration; manifestation of respect or reverence."A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country." [Matt. xiii. 57.]
- That which rightfully attracts esteem, respect, or consideration; self-respect; dignity; courage; fidelity; especially, excellence of character; high moral worth; virtue; nobleness."Godlike erect, with native honor clad." [Milton.]
- Purity; chastity; -- a term applied mostly to women, but becoming uncommon in usage."If she have forgot Honor and virtue." [Shak.]
- A nice sense of what is right, just, and true, with course of life correspondent thereto; strict conformity to the duty imposed by conscience, position, or privilege; integrity; uprightness; trustworthness."Say, what is honor? 'T is the finest sense Of justice which the human mind can frame, Intent each lurking frailty to disclaim, And guard the way of life from all offense Suffered or done." [Wordsworth.]"I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honor more." [Lovelace.]
- That to which esteem or consideration is paid; distinguished position; high rank."Restored me to my honors." [Shak.]"I have given thee . . . both riches, and honor." [1 Kings iii. 13.]"Thou art clothed with honor and majesty." [Ps. civ. 1.]
- Fame; reputation; credit."Some in their actions do woo, and affect honor and reputation." [Bacon.]"If my honor is meant anything distinct from conscience, 't is no more than a regard to the censure and esteem of the world." [Rogers.]
- A token of esteem paid to worth; a mark of respect; a ceremonial sign of consideration; as, he wore an honor on his breast; military honors; civil honors. "Their funeral honors." [Dryden.]
- A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament; as, he is an honor to his nation.
- A title applied to the holders of certain honorable civil offices, or to persons of rank; as, His Honor the Mayor. See Note under Honorable.
- [Feud. Law] A seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended.
- pl.Academic or university prizes or distinctions; as, honors in classics.
- pl.[Whist] The ace, king, queen, and jack of trumps. The ten and nine are sometimes called Dutch honors.
Etymology: OE. honor honour onour onur, OF. honor onor honur onur honour onour, F. honneur, fr. L. honor honos
verb Hon"or
Senses
- To regard or treat with honor, esteem, or respect; to revere; to treat with deference and submission; when used of the Supreme Being, to reverence; to adore; to worship." Honor thy father and thy mother." [Ex. xx. 12.]"That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father." [John v. 23.]"It is a custom More honor'd in the breach than the observance." [Shak.]
- To dignify; to raise to distinction or notice; to bestow honor upon; to elevate in rank or station; to ennoble; to exalt; to glorify; hence, to do something to honor; to treat in a complimentary manner or with civility."Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighten to honor." [Esther vi. 9.]"The name of Cassius honors this corruption." [Shak.]
- [Com] To accept and pay when due; as, to honora bill of exchange.
Etymology: OE. honouren onouren, OF. honorer honourer, F. honorer, fr. L. honorare, fr. honor (n.)
Other Dictionary Sources
- A woman's virtue or chastity
- The quality of being honorable and having a good name ("a man of honor")
- A tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
- The state of being honored
- Accept as pay ("we honor checks and drafts")
- Show respect towards ("honor your parents!")
- Bestow honor or rewards upon ("Today we honor our soldiers")
Wiktionary
Shortened from Honoria and Honora; later also interpreted as a virtue name by Puritans.
- A female given name from English.