1 [mass noun] high respect; great esteem:his portrait hangs in the place of honour
[in singular] a person or thing that brings esteem:you are an honour to our profession
(His, Your, etc. Honour) a title of respect or form of address given to a circuit judge, a US mayor, and (in Irish or rustic speech) any person of rank.
2the quality of knowing and doing what is morally right:I must as a matter of honour avoid any taint of dishonesty
dated a woman’s chastity or her reputation for being chaste:she died defending her honour
3something regarded as a rare opportunity and bringing pride and pleasure; a privilege:Mrs Young had the honour of being received by the Queen
a thing conferred as a distinction, especially an official award for bravery or achievement:the highest military honours
(honours) a special distinction for proficiency in an examination:she passed with honours
(honours) a course of degree studies more specialized than for an ordinary pass: [as modifier]:an honours degree in mathematics
Golf the right of driving off first, having won the previous hole:Kyle had the honour at the last hole
4 Bridge an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten.
(honours) possession in one’s hand of at least four of the ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of trumps, or of all four aces in no trumps, for which a bonus is scored.
(in whist) an ace, king, queen, or jack of trumps.
ზმნა
Universal
1regard with great respect:Joyce has now learned to honour her father’s memory (as adjective honoured)an honoured guest
pay public respect to:talented writers were honoured at a special ceremony
2fulfil (an obligation) or keep (an agreement):make sure the franchisees honour the terms of the contract
accept (a bill) or pay (a cheque) when due:the bank informed him that the cheque would not be honoured
do the honours
informal perform a social duty for others, especially the serving of food or drink to a guest:‘Don’t worry, I’ll do the honours.’ She reached for the teapot and poured
honour bright
British dated on my honour:I’ll never do it again, honour bright, I won’t
[from Thomas Moore's Tom Cribb's Memorial to Congress (1819)]
honours are even
British there is equality in the contest:they are meeting in the final for the fifth time with honours even
