- honour */*/
- I UK [ˈɒnə(r)] / US [ˈɑnər]
noun
Word forms "honour":
singular honour plural honours1) [uncountable] the respect that people have for someone who achieves something great, is very powerful, or behaves in a way that is morally righthonour of:Shame and honour were what motivated people.
They were prepared to die for the honour of their country.
2) [uncountable] the belief and practice of someone who has high moral standardsIt's no longer just a legal issue, it's a matter of honour.
a man of honour (= someone who always behaves in a morally correct way)
3) [countable] something you do that you are proud ofbe an honour:be an honour to do something:Being asked to perform at La Scala is an honour for any singer.
It's a great honour to be here with you tonight.
4)a) [countable, often plural] a prize that someone is given because they have achieved something importanttop/highest honours (= the most important honours):Twenty children received honours for bravery.
The town has taken the top honours in the "Britain in Bloom" competition for the second year running.
b) the prize of a special title given by the Queen of EnglandJohn Tucker was made an OBE in the Queen's birthday honours.
5) [uncountable] old-fashioned a woman's virginity (= the fact that she has not had sex) before being married, or the fact that she has never had sex with anyone except her husband•be/feel honour bound to do something
— if you feel honour bound to do something, you think that you must do it because it is morally rightI felt honour bound to tell her the truth.
to what do we owe this honour/the honour of your presence?
— humorous said as a joke when someone is late or comes to a meeting or class that they usually missSee:
II UK [ˈɒnə(r)] / US [ˈɑnər] verb [transitive]
Word forms "honour":
present tense I/you/we/they honour he/she/it honours present participle honouring past tense honoured past participle honoured1) to show your respect or admiration for someone, especially by giving them a prize or a title, or by praising them publiclyShe will be honoured for her work in promoting friendship between the two countries.
We are here today to honour the men and women who gave their lives for their country.
2) to do what you promised to do or what it is your duty to dohonour a pledge/promise/commitment:honour a contract/agreement:Demonstrators called on the Prime Minister to honour his pledge to improve healthcare.
Once a contract is signed, it has to be honoured.
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English dictionary. 2014.