honour

(US honor)

noun

1》 great respect or esteem.

    ↘a feeling of pride and pleasure from being shown respect.

    ↘a source of esteem.

2》 a clear sense of what is morally right.

3》 a thing conferred as a distinction.

    ↘(honours) a special distinction for proficiency in an examination.

    ↘(honours) a course of degree studies more specialized than for an ordinary pass.

4》 (His, Your, etc. Honour) a title of respect for a circuit judge, a US mayor, and (in Irish or rustic speech) any person of rank.

5》 Golf the right of driving off first, having won the previous hole.

6》 dated a woman's chastity.

7》 Bridge an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten.

    ↘(honours) possession of at least four of these cards in the trump suit, or of all four aces in no trumps, for which a bonus is scored.

verb

1》 regard with great respect.

    ↘pay public respect to.

2》 bring esteem to (a place or event) with one's presence.

3》 fulfil (an obligation) or keep (an agreement).

    ↘accept (a bill) or pay (a cheque) when due.

Phrases

do the honours informal perform a social duty for others, especially serve food or drink.

honour bright Brit. dated on my honour.

honours are even Brit. there is equality in the contest.

in honour of as an expression of respect for.

on one's honour under a moral obligation.

on (or upon) my honour used to express sincerity.

Origin

ME: from OFr. onor (n.), onorer (v.), from L. honos, honor.