Honor

Content thyself to be obscurely good. When vice prevails and impious men bear away, the post of honor is a private station
- Joseph Addison

This post will be a work in process for the next several days so be sure to check back here and see what has changed and how it is taking shape.


HON'OR, n. on'or. [L. honor, honos.]
(excerpt from the Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

1. The esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation.

A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country. Matt.13.


2. A testimony of esteem; any expression of respect or of high estimation by words or actions;

as the honors of war; military honors; funeral honors; civil honors.


3. Dignity; exalted rank or place; distinction.

I have given thee riches and honor. 1 Kings 3.
Thou art clothed with honor and majesty. Ps. 104.
In doing a good thing, there is both honor and pleasure.


4. Reverence; veneration; or any act by which reverence and submission are expressed,as worship paid to the Supreme Being.


5. Reputation; good name;

as, his honor is unsullied.


6. True nobleness of mind; magnanimity; dignified respect for character, springing from probity, principle or moral rectitude; a distinguishing trait in the character of good men.


7. An assumed appearance of nobleness; scorn of meanness, springing from the fear of reproach, without regard to principle;

as, shall I violate my trust? Forbid it, honor.


8. Any particular virtue much valued; as bravery in men, and chastity in females.


9. Dignity of mien; noble appearance.

Godlike erect, with native honor clad.


10. That which honors; he or that which confers dignity; as,the chancellor is an honor to his profession.


11. Privileges of rank or birth; in the plural.

Restore me to my honors.


12. Civilities paid.

Then here a slave, or if you will, a lord,
To do the honors,and to give the word.


13. That which adorns; ornament; decoration.

The sire then shook the honors of his head.


14. A noble kind of seignory or lordship, held of the king in capite.

"On my honor" or "Upon my honor" words accompanying a declaration which pledge one's honor or reputation for the truth of it. The members of the house of lords in Great Britain are not under oath, but give their opinions on their honor.

"Laws of honor," among persons of fashion, signify certain rules by which their social intercourse is regulated,and which are founded on a regard to reputation. These laws require a punctilious attention to decorum in external deportment, but admit of the foulest violations of moral duty.

"Court of honor, a court of chivalry;" a court of civil and criminal jurisdiction, having power to redress injuries of honor, and to hold pleas respecting matters of arms and deeds of war.

Isn't it interesting that one word could have so many definitions? I think that this abundance of definitions is an indication of just how complex a word we are trying to define. I am also impressed by how each definition is really required to give the fullness of meaning to what honor is all about.