Debt of honor

Honor Hon"or ([o^]n"[~e]r), n. [OE. honor, honour, onour, onur, OF. honor, onor, honur, onur, honour, onour, F. honneur, fr. L. honor, honos.] [Written also {honour}.] 1. Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence; veneration; manifestation of respect or reverence. [1913 Webster]

A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country. --Matt. xiii. 57. [1913 Webster]

2. That which rightfully attracts esteem, respect, or consideration; self-respect; dignity; courage; fidelity; especially, excellence of character; high moral worth; virtue; nobleness; specif., in men, integrity; uprightness; trustworthness; in women, purity; chastity. [1913 Webster]

If she have forgot Honor and virtue. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Godlike erect, with native honor clad. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. 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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honor more. --Lovelace. [1913 Webster]

4. That to which esteem or consideration is paid; distinguished position; high rank. ``Restored me to my honors.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

I have given thee . . . both riches, and honor. --1 Kings iii. 13. [1913 Webster]

Thou art clothed with honor and majesty. --Ps. civ. 1. [1913 Webster]

5. Fame; reputation; credit. [1913 Webster]

Some in theiractions do woo, and affect honor and reputation. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

6. 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. [1913 Webster]

7. A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament; as, he is an honor to his nation. [1913 Webster]

8. 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}. [1913 Webster]

9. (Feud. Law) A seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended. --Cowell. [1913 Webster]

10. pl. Academic or university prizes or distinctions; as, honors in classics. [1913 Webster]

11. pl. (Whist) The ace, king, queen, and jack of trumps. The ten and nine are sometimes called Dutch honors. --R. A. Proctor. [1913 Webster]

{Affair of honor}, a dispute to be decided by a duel, or the duel itself.

{Court of honor}, a court or tribunal to investigate and decide questions relating to points of honor; as a court of chivalry, or a military court to investigate acts or omissions which are unofficerlike or ungentlemanly in their nature.

{Debt of honor}, a debt contracted by a verbal promise, or by betting or gambling, considered more binding than if recoverable by law.

{Honor bright!} An assurance of truth or fidelity. [Colloq.]

{Honor court} (Feudal Law), one held in an honor or seignory.

{Honor point}. (Her.) See {Escutcheon}.

{Honors of war} (Mil.), distinctions granted to a vanquished enemy, as of marching out from a camp or town armed, and with colors flying.

{Law of honor} or {Code of honor}, certain rules by which social intercourse is regulated among persons of fashion, and which are founded on a regard to reputation. --Paley.

{Maid of honor}, a lady of rank, whose duty it is to attend the queen when she appears in public.

{On one's honor}, on the pledge of one's honor; as, the members of the House of Lords in Great Britain, are not under oath, but give their statements or verdicts on their honor.

{Point of honor}, a scruple or nice distinction in matters affecting one's honor; as, he raised a point of honor.

{To do the honors}, to bestow honor, as on a guest; to act as host or hostess at an entertainment. ``To do the honors and to give the word.'' --Pope.

{To do one honor}, to confer distinction upon one.

{To have the honor}, to have the privilege or distinction.

{Word of honor}, an engagement confirmed by a pledge of honor. [1913 Webster]