honourablehonorableadj.adv.n.
/ˈɒn(ə)rəbl/, U.S. /ˈɑnər(ə)bəl/, /ˈɑnrəbəl/ A. adj.
1.
a. Worthy of being honoured; deserving or entitled to honour, respect, esteem, or reverence; venerable.† (a) Of a person or group of people. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > [adjective] > worthy of or commanding respect
honourablec1384
redoubtable1421
respectable1603
respectuous1610
respective1611
respectful1613
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > reputability or honourableness > [adjective]
faireOE
wortheOE
worthlyeOE
worthfulOE
menskful?c1225
toldc1275
digne1297
of price?a1300
worshiply1340
worthya1350
menska1375
thriftyc1374
worshipfula1375
worthilya1375
honesta1382
honourablec1384
unshamedc1384
sada1387
of reputationc1390
well-nameda1393
reverent1398
worthy (worshipful, wise) in wanea1400
celebrable?c1400
honouredc1400
worshipablec1425
substantialc1449
undefameda1450
unreviled?1457
honorousa1500
reputed?1532
well-thought-ona1533
well-spoken1539
credible1543
undespised?1548
imitable1550
famous1555
undistained1565
undefame1578
untarred1579
well-reputed1583
unsoiledc1592
dishonourless1595
well-deemed1595
nameworthy1598
regardful1600
indisgraced1606
credenta1616
undishonoureda1616
unscandalized1618
unscandalous1618
unslandered1622
untainted1627
dignousa1636
undisparaged1636
considerable1641
unbranded1641
glorifiable1651
reputable1671
unsullied1743
unstigmatized1778
undisgraced1812
unstained1863
well-thought-of1865
uncompromised1882
scandal-proof1904
cred1987
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Dan. xiii. 4 Jewis camen to gidre to hym, for that he was more honourable [L. honorabilior] of alle.
c1450 (c1390) G. Chaucer Lack of Steadfastness (Fairf. 16) (1879) l. 22 O prince desire to be honourable.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) viii. 6 He [sc. Christ] is honurabile till all.
?1529 R. Hyrde tr. J. L. Vives Instr. Christen Woman i. vi. sig. Gv Thre thynges made Pallas honorable, virginite, strength, & wysedome.
1590 R. Harvey Plaine Percevall sig. C3 Men..honorable..for their calling.
a1673 G. Swinnock in C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David (1874) IV. Ps. lxxxix. 6 The ancientest, the honourablest house of the creation.
1675 H. Neville tr. N. Machiavelli Prince vi, in tr. N. Machiavelli Wks. 206 They remain..honorable, and happy.
1741 J. Hildrop Ess. Honour v. 48 Such a Person..is not honourable because of his Descent..but because he has a sufficient Fund of Merit within himself.
(b) Of a thing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > reputability or honourableness > [adjective] > specifically of things or actions
worthyc1300
honest1340
honourablea1393
laureate1535
reputable1659
creditable1740
defamelessa1814
smutchless1853
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. l. 3975 His name is good and honourable.
1418 H. Chichele in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. I. 4 I hadde red ȝour honurable letter.
?1566 J. Alday tr. P. Boaistuau Theatrum Mundi sig. R v Who..hath made ye most honorablest members to sight, and the foule..placed out of sight.
a1620 M. Fotherby Atheomastix (1622) ii. xiv. §1. 354 The very name of Philosophie, is both honourable, and holy.
1631 in S. R. Gardiner Rep. Cases Star Chamber & High Comm. (1886) 233 There is noe tyme fitter for it then this honourable day [sc. the Saboth day].
1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 83 Marriage is honourable, but House-keeping is a Shrew.
1776 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. xiii. 372 He..displayed a matchless dexterity, as well as strength..even in the less honourable contests of the Olympian games.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 73 The soul which came from heaven is more honourable than the body which is earth-born.
1911 W. B. Carpenter Some Pages of Life 87 We boys had a kind of honourable tradition of sharing all good fortune.
1930 Oxf. Ann. Girls 39/1 The ancient and honourable game of croquet..cannot at any time be described as exhilarating.
2003 H. S. Thompson Kingdom of Fear ii. 109 It is shocking to see Aspen's long and honourable tradition of quality law enforcement being sullied by these charges.
b. Considerable or respectable in size, number, quantity, etc. Now somewhat rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective]
enoughOE
enowOE
goodOE
suffisanta1340
skilfula1350
sufficientc1380
duea1398
aboundable?1440
competentc1440
suffiand1456
sufficient1539
answerable1551
honourable1590
sufficinga1616
well1673
undeficient1854
1590 J. Smythe Certain Disc. Weapons 7 b To reduce all the great and honorable bands aforesaid, into little bands of 150 or 200.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 327 Mounsier the nice, That when he playes at Tables chides the Dice In honorable tearmes. View more context for this quotation
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1666 (1955) III. 437 Din'd with my L: Cornbury..who kept a very honorable table.
1789 tr. Plutarch in Hist. Preceptor 136 Theanor endeavoured to make him sensible of the necessity of acquiring at least an honourable competency.
1836 W. J. Fox Morality of Poverty 23 Of genuine Christian goodness..I have no doubt that there is a most honourable amount.
1850 Christian Treasury 5 130 Men who have gone through the whole circle of the sciences—have made honourable proficiency in them all.
1912 E. B. McDonald & J. Dalrymple Umé San in Japan (School ed.) iv. 32 He was rewarded by finding an honourable quantity of coins.
1999 Ottawa Citizen (Nexis) 7 Sept. (News section) a16 Any mackerel under, say, 12 inches or so..were promptly tossed back to grow to honourable size.
2. Characterized by principles of honour (sense 2a); upright, honest; morally right or just.
a. Of a thing.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > honourableness > [adjective]
faireOE
goodlyOE
selec1275
honourablec1384
just1509
ingenuous1610
squarea1644
even down1654
white1837
sportsmanlike1899
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Heb. xiii. 4 Honorable [L. honorabile] wedding in alle thingis [a1425 L.V. Wedding is in alle thingis onourable], and bed vnwembid.
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. i. 185 If that thy bent of loue be honourable? Thy purpose marriage, send me word to morrow. View more context for this quotation
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. v. iii. §15. 518 This was thought the best, and most honourable course.
1657 O. Cromwell Speech 8 May in Writings & Speeches (1947) (modernized text) IV. 513 The things are very honourable and honest, and the product worthy of a Parliament.
1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. xxxv. 35 On your part we are satisfied that every thing was honourable and sincere.
1799 C. Proby Mysterious Seal I. iv. 150 His passion for her was honorable, and that he ardently wished to be united to her in the holy bonds of matrimony.
1825 E. Bulwer-Lytton Zicci 24 Honourable and generous love may even now work out your happiness.
1897 W. E. Henley in R. Burns Poetry IV. 249 It was natural and honourable in a young man of this lusty and amatorious habit to look round for a wife.
1931 S. Kaye-Smith Susan Spray iii. 225 What was this but wantonness? His intentions towards her could not be honourable.
1987 E. Wallace & E. A. Hoebel Comanches vii. 167 It was felt by the Comanches that if a doctor tried his best and failed, it was still the honorable thing to give him his fee.
2009 New Yorker 26 Oct. 45/3 There's something about pilotless drones that doesn't strike me as an honorable way of warfare.
b. Of a person.
ΚΠ
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Squire's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 13 He was hardy, wys, and riche..Sooth of his word, benigne and honurable.
1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 60v He is right exellent whiche is honourable in all his disportes.
1572 A. P. tr. Extracte of Examples, Apothegmes, & Hist. 141 That vertuous and honorable Henry spake vnto those peruerse iduges.
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) v. iii. 243 So please your Maiesty, my master hath bin an honourable Gentleman. View more context for this quotation
1667 Duchess of Newcastle Life Duke of Newcastle iv. 195 He is truly an Honest and Honourable man, and one that may be relied upon both for Trust and Truth.
1718 Free-thinker No. 14. 2 A fair-dealing, honourable Merchant.
1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 738 A wretch, whom..The world accounts an honourable man. View more context for this quotation
1838 G. P. R. James Robber I. iv. 77 I have always found you honourable and generous.
1880 G. Meredith Tragic Comedians I. v. 99 A middle-aged, grave and honourable man.
1936 W. R. Hearst in Helena (Montana) Independent 21 Sept. 2/4 I..have endeavored to serve my country as an honorable and patriotic journalist.
1974 Boys' Life Nov. 23/1 Too honourable to steal, they would pay for their repasts by serenading the gardeners.
2007 F. Weldon Spa (U.S. ed.) 289 She was honourable..and never told lies or tried to get anyone into trouble.
3. Demonstrating respect, esteem, or reverence; that honours someone or something; honorary.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > [adjective]
worthfulOE
honourablea1393
courteousa1475
respecting1573
respective1579
respectful1593
louting1602
respectuous1610
honouring1614
assenting1752
deferent1822
deferential1822
deferring1829
unscornful1897
Schweikist1968
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) ii. l. 1460 He wolde an honourable feste Make.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Comm. on Canticles (Univ. Oxf. 64) in Psalter (1884) 508 Trouth and luf..hild apostils and haly men as honurabil chathynge [read clathynge].
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 252 She made him honourable chere.
a1592 H. Smith Wks. (1866–7) I. 441 There be many names of honour, but this is the honourablest name.
a1600 Doctrynall Good Servauntes in E. F. Rimbault Anc. Poet. Tracts 16th Cent. (1842) 4 Seruauntes ought to be honourable..To all men seruysable.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) i. i. 29 An honourable conduct let him haue. View more context for this quotation
1743 R. Pococke Descr. East I. 57 The Cashif..shew'd me great civility; which was more honourable than if I had placed myself lower at the table.
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson I. Advt. p. ix An honourable monument to his memory.
1829 Amer. Masonick Rec. 7 Nov. 323/2 This distinguished individual..received from the Roman Emperor a medal with an honourable inscription.
1840 Southern Literary Messenger June 470/2 The gallant officer, whose Naval services during the last war won from his native state the honorable award of a sword.
1902 N.Y. State Museum Bull. No. 55 69 Scalps..were to the Indian what stars, crosses, and honorable medals are to the European soldier.
1944 C. V. Wedgwood William the Silent ii. 42 Charles V had introduced some foreigners into the Order, bestowing it rather as an honourable gift on distinguished allies.
2007 M. Ewans Opera from Greek ii. 20 The suitors are three courtly young gentlemen, who pay honourable tribute to Penelope.
4.
a. Characterized by or accompanied with honour (sense 1a); conferring distinction or renown.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > [adjective] > bringing credit or honour (to)
honest1340
worshipful1340
honourable?a1400
graceful1595
honorary1606
dignifying1630
creditablea1639
creditable1655
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 324 Þei wilde biseke Edward, Þat he mot him ȝelde tille him in a forward Þat were honorable to kepe wod or beste.
?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iv. pr. vi. l. 4039 Many oþer folk han bouȝt honorable renoune of þis worlde [L. venerandum saeculi nomen] by þe pris of glorious deeþ.
1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 32v Thou dost euyl to flee from the honourable deth to the shameffull lyff.
1540 Act 32 Hen. VIII c. 48 The castell of Douer..is..a very honorable strong & defencible fortresse.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. li It is more honorable to bee praised of his enemies then to be extolled of his frendes.
1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. i. 50 Good hope of honourabler seruice hereafter.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) iii. i. 64 Sure the Match Were rich and honourable . View more context for this quotation
1642 J. Milton Apol. Smectymnuus 16 A composition, and patterne of the best and honourablest things.
a1711 T. Ken Wks. (1721) I. 184 The Seraphs who of all love Godhead most Had near the Throne the honourable Post.
1799 European Mag. Oct. 223/1 Few would have equalled him in the walks of honourable fame.
1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VI. 27 Areopagus..deprived Æschines of his honourable office.
1899 Pop. Sci. Monthly Sept. 697 These labors, if he had accomplished no more, would have been sufficient to give him an honorable position in science for all time.
1904 G. A. B. Dewar Glamour of Earth x. 243 Making a good and sure living..and filling an honourable post in wood work.
1998 S. Carroll Noble Power during French Wars Relig. iv. 137 The ducs de Guise and d'Aumale and the young Charles d'Elbeuf set out to fulfil their honourable duty to exact revenge in blood.
b. That maintains, or is consistent with, the good name or reputation of a person or thing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > [adjective] > consistent with reputation
honourable1548
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxxij The Frenche kynge..offered me..bothe honorable and honest ouertures of peace.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 186 To yeeld it up upon honorable conditions.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 101 Such is the love of Praise, an Honourable Thirst. View more context for this quotation
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xxiv. 461 His father..enjoyed, in honourable retirement, the fruit of his long services.
1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. i. 5 False pride..withheld him from honourable retreat while it was yet in his power.
1829 E. Bulwer-Lytton Devereux I. ii. iv. 187 Let us effect an honourable peace.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 149 To capitulate on honourable and advantageous terms.
1900 Rhode Island in War with Spain 25 The whole American nation is anxiously awaiting an honourable solution of the pending crisis.
1957 J. A. Williamson Tudor Age xiii. 279 Warwick capitulated for the honourable withdrawal of his remnant at the end of July.
2007 Foreign Affairs 86 7/1 The challenge now..is for the United States to find an honorable exit from a conflict that developed in an unexpected way.
5.
a. Used as an official or courtesy title or form of address, esp. for certain high officials, the children of certain ranks of the peerage, and MPs. Chiefly with the and capital initial.‘Honourable’ (abbreviated Hon. adj.1) is given to the younger sons of earls, to sons and daughters of viscounts and barons, to maids of honour, all Justices of the High Court (not being Lord Justices nor Lords of Appeal), to Lords of Session, the Lord Provost of Glasgow (during office), and especially to members of Governments or of Executive Councils in Commonwealth countries. In the United States it is given to members of both Houses of Congress, and of State legislatures, to judges, justices, etc. Honourable is also applied to the House of Commons collectively, honourable member or honourable gentleman being applied to individual members. It is also used for certain organizations or corporate bodies. Most Honourable is applied to Marquesses, and to the Order of the Bath and the Privy Council (collectively).See also Right Honourable adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > [noun] > courtesy title
honourablea1440
master1489
Hon'ble?1541
monsieur1598
curiality1641
courtesy title1840
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > title or form of address for persons of rank > [adjective] > specific epithets for persons of rank
goodOE
worshipful1398
the Greata1413
the Grand1426
honourablea1440
Right Honourable?1449
granda1460
Hon'ble?1541
Hon.1587
Right Hon.1587
Rt. Hon.1660
magnificent1717
a1440 Let. in Eng. Hist. Rev. (1940) 55 643 To zou full honurable Maistur & ful Worshipfull bretheron of the Trynite zelde Seint Mary.
a1505 L. Haryson in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 490 Onorabyll and well be-louyd knythe.
1538 T. Starkey Will in England (1878) i. p. viii Item I geve to the veray honnerable and my singulier good lorde, my lorde Montague.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. B8 Hir royall Maiestie, and hir most honorable Councel.
1612 T. Ryves in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. IV. 172 Honourable Sir, Yow have beene pleased.
1643 Let. from Irish Council 28 Oct. in Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion (1703) II. vii. 325 To our very good Lord, the Lord Speaker of the Right Honourable the Lords House of Parliament..and to our very loving Friend, William Lenthall Esq; Speaker of the Honourable Commons House in Parliament.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 38 In pay for the Honourable East India Company.
1711 A. Pope Ess. Crit. 34 Fear most to tax an Honourable Fool, Whose right it is, uncensur'd to be dull.
1744 (title) A treaty held in the town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, by the Honourable the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province, and the Honourable the Commissioners for the Provinces of Virginia and Maryland, with the Indians of the Six Nations.
1783 R. B. Sheridan Speech House of Commons in T. Moore Mem. Life R. B. Sheridan (1825) I. xi. 508 An Honourable friend of mine, who is now, I believe, near me..that Honourable gentleman has told you that [etc].
1817 Parl. Deb. 1st Ser. 731 The Chancellor of the Exchequer expressed his anxiety to consult the wishes of honourable gentlemen on the subject.
1820 Petition in J. Bischoff Woollen Manuf. (1842) II. 9 Your petitioners humbly pray that they may be heard by their counsel at the bar of your Honourable House.
1876 G. E. Voyle Mil. Dict. (ed. 3) Honourable Artillery Company, a volunteer force and the oldest military body in England.
1925 Rep. Deb. Legislative Council (Colony & Protectorate Kenya) 2 1039 I appeal to the Honourable and Reverend Gentleman to give the Honourable Director time.
1938 N. Marsh Artists in Crime xi. 156 The only one they seemed to have much time for was the Honourable Basil Pilgrim.
2002 T. L. Hill Canad. Politics p. x I often thought of the words the Honourable Member for Saint John had written to me.
b. Holding an exalted position; of distinguished rank or status; noble, illustrious.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > [adjective]
mereeOE
athelOE
couthOE
brightOE
namecundc1175
outnumenc1175
noble?c1225
ketec1275
sheenc1275
tirfulc1275
glorious13..
losedc1305
of great renownc1330
glorifieda1340
worthly or worthy in wonea1350
clearc1374
nameda1382
solemna1387
renomeda1393
famous?a1400
renomé?a1400
renowneda1400
notedc1400
of (great, high, etc.) name?c1430
celebrate?1440
namely1440
famosec1449
honourable?c1450
notedc1450
parent?c1450
glorificatec1460
heroical?a1475
insignite?a1475
magnific1490
well-fameda1492
exemie1497
singular1497
preclare1503
magnificential1506
laureate1508
illustre?a1513
illustred1512
magnificent1513
preclared1530
grand1542
celebrated1549
heroicc1550
lustrantc1550
magnifical1557
illustrate1562
expectablec1565
ennobled1571
laurel1579
nominated1581
famosed1582
perspicuous1582
big1587
famed1595
uplifted1596
illustrious1598
celebrousc1600
luculent1600
celebrious1604
fameful1605
famoused1606
renownful1606
bruitful1609
eminent1611
insignious1620
clarousa1636
far-fameda1640
top1647
grandee1648
signalized1652
noscible1653
splendid1660
voiced1661
gloried1671
laurelled1683
distinguished1714
distinct1756
lustrious1769
trumpeted1775
spiry1825
world-famous1832
galactic1902
tycoonish1958
mega1987
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > [adjective] > holding place or rank
honourable?c1450
placed1844
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 2609 Elfled, þat honorabil abbas.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) lxxxviii. 27 He honorabilest of all and heghe bifore kyngis.
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 40/1 Manye of them far more honorable part of kin then his mothers side.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. iv. 70 Tell quaint lyes how honorable Ladies sought my loue. View more context for this quotation
1668 Bp. E. Hopkins Van. World 126 If we be great, we are but the larger Hives for cares. If honourable, we are but raised above others to be the more weather-beaten.
1702 E. Chamberlayne Present State Eng. iii. iii. 281 His Title is Most Noble, Most Honourable, and Potent Prince.
1760 T. Nugent tr. P. Macquer Chronol. Abridgm. Rom. Hist. 122 The most honourable of the centurions was the primipilus who was the centurion of the right hand order of the first manipulus.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 61 This man, named Edward Petre, was descended from an honorable family.
1895 Pub. Colonial Soc. Mass. 1 18 Sprung mostly from honorable ancestry, bringing in their veins the best blood of the mother country, they became a race by themselves.
1920 G. K. Chesterton Man who knew too Much in Harper's Mag. Aug. 320/1 He was undoubtedly a gentleman of honorable pedigree and of many accomplishments.
1984 T. S. Lebra Japanese Women 91 His family, being wealthy, wanted to take a bride from a more ‘honourable’ family.
2007 F. Nevola Siena iv. 88 The point was to establish an honourable and ancient lineage that endorsed access of these families to government office.
B. adv.
Honourably. Now somewhat rare (nonstandard).Some earlier examples may be misspellings or typographical errors.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > honourableness > [adverb]
truec1300
truly1387
honourablyc1390
honourable?a1425
honestly1526
manfully1579
?a1425 (?a1350) T. Castleford Chron. (1996) I. 2771 To hyr he gafe..Tresor enogh,..Seruandes assygned hyr to yeme, Þat honorable hyr serue m[o]ght, And kepe hys come qwen þat he þoght.
?c1525 (a1503) Receyt Ladie Kateryne (Coll. Arms M.13) (1990) ii. 38 And in the same evenyng late,..she was conveyed and brought honourable to her lodging at the Bushoppis Paleis of London.
1580 T. Forrest tr. Isocrates Perfite Looking Glasse f. 44v It shall be your dueties in like sort..to behaue your selues honorable, and commendable in the gouerning of my people.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iii. ii. 123 Widow goe you along: Lords vse her honourable [1595 honorablie] . View more context for this quotation
1654 E. Wolley tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Curia Politiæ 71 I have not done lesse honorable.
1763 London Chron. 8 Feb. 138/2 If you will act honourable you will do your Self no harm.
1869 Macmillan's Mag. Oct. 522/2 My lord, as you've behaved honourable to me, I've behaved honourable to you, and I've never been near your woods.
1890 A. Cambridge Marked Man xii. 91 Drunk or sober.., he's got to behave honourable to my sister.
1927 E. Wallace Good Evans! xiv. 254 ‘They're not actin' honourable,’ said Mr. Evans bitterly.
2010 L. S. Wharton Pirate's Bastard x. 100 At least this way, you've acted honorable, you told her the truth.
C. n.
1. colloquial. Chiefly with capital initial. A person entitled to be addressed as ‘Honourable’ (see sense A. 5a).
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > [noun] > person of
proudOE
higha1200
estate1399
honourablea1450
statec1449
dignitya1525
high and mighty1576
palasinc1580
titular1605
sublimity1610
dignitary1672
person of condition1673
figure1692
title1817
titulary1824
Hon.1836
high-up1882
high-ranker1899
a1450 (c1385) G. Chaucer Complaint of Mars (Tanner 346) (1871) l. 285 Youre emperice the honorable Is desolate.
1550 J. Hooper Godly Confession Epist. sig. A.ii The rest of the most wyse godly and lerned assembled of all the honourables.
1605 A. Warren Poore Mans Passions sig. E3 For equalls, Gentells, Honourables, States; Aiax would not presume to prooue my might.
1756 Dutiful Addr. to Throne 19 How are all the chief Offices filled with Honourables and Right Honourables!
1800 E. Hervey Mourtray Family I. 229 My poor brain..never can remember all the forms required by your Honourables and Right Honourables.
1880 J. L. Warren Guide Study Book-plates viii. 95 Six bear courtesy titles or are Honourables.
1927 Financial Times 15 Jan. 4/7 James Capel and Co. have two honourables among their partners.
1999 Sunday Herald (Nexis) 16 May 23 Those who return their RSVPs are likely to include a large number of Honourables, titled individuals and a chunk of the upper middle-class set.
2. An honourable or distinguished person.rare before the 19th cent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > [noun]
kingeOE
master-spiritc1175
douzepersc1330
sire1362
worthya1375
lantern1382
sira1400
greatc1400
noblec1400
persona1425
lightc1425
magnate?a1439
worthyman1439
personagec1460
giant1535
honourablec1540
triedc1540
magnifico1573
ornament1573
signor1583
hero1592
grandee1604
prominent1608
name1611
magnificent1612
choice spirita1616
illustricity1637
luminary1692
lion1715
swell1786
notable1796
top-sawyer1826
star1829
celebrity1831
notability1832
notoriety1841
mighty1853
tycoon1861
reputation1870
public figure1871
star turn1885
headliner1896
front-pager1899
legend1899
celeb1907
big name1909
big-timer1917
Hall of Famer1948
megastar1969
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 104 Ector full onestly þat onerable þanket.
1771 J. R. Forster tr. J. B. Bossu Trav. Louisiana I. 249 When this diuretic potion is prepared, the young people go to present it..to the chiefs and warriors, that is the honourables.
1829 Mirror Lit., Amusem., & Instr. 15 Aug. 108/1 We call such men the honourables of the land, whose examples should be written in letters of gold.
1860 R. F. Burton in Jrnl. Royal Geogr. Soc. 1859 29 164 The councillors, who are the elders and the honourables of the tribe.
1931 H. Norden Wanderer in Indo-China xi. 212 All the honourables of the village were on the shore to meet me.
1985 S. Elkin Magic Kingdom iii. viii. 308 Over the heads of the nobs and honorables, of the chairmen of boards, of the media.
2001 Yearbk. Trad. Music 33 91 The..couples first invite the honourables, the mayor, the assistant politicians, the parson, the parents and other relatives.
Compounds
honourable discharge n. release from service or imprisonment with honour; (Military) discharge from military service with honour attesting to good conduct; (also) a certificate recording such a discharge; cf. dishonourable discharge at dishonourable adj. Additions c, general discharge n. 2.
ΚΠ
1664 S. Butler Hudibras: Second Pt. i. 59 This suffer'd, they are set at large And free'd with honorable discharge, Then in their Robes the Penitentials, Are streight presented with Credentials.
1766 J. H. Grose Voy. E.-Indies (ed. 2) II. Contents p. xvii He quits the French service; is taken in a Dutch ship, and brought prisoner to England, in 1747: his removal to France, confinement in the Bastile, and honorable discharge.
1777 S. Adams Let. 8 Jan. in Lett. of Delegates to Congr. (1980) VI. 49 Genl Gates speaks very highly of the Militia you sent him the last Fall. He applauds greatly their Zeal for the Cause..and he tells me he gave them an honorable Discharge.
1898 G. B. Davis Treat. on Military Law of U.S. 355 Where an honorable discharge has once duly taken effect by the delivery of the formal certificate, it is final and cannot be revoked unless obtained by fraud.
1957 A. Buchwald Brave Coward 54 I got an honorable discharge from the Army.
2001 Tucson (Arizona) Weekly 7 June 7/1 Henry Ramon, Vice Chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation, returned home from the Korean war with his honorable discharge.
honourable mention n. [after French mention honorable (1796)] a distinction accorded to a work of art or literature, etc., entered in a competition, that is considered of exceptional merit but is not awarded a prize; a candidate in an examination, competition, etc., who is similarly commended; also in extended use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > honour > [noun] > conferring of honour > an) honour(s) or distinction
worshipOE
mensk?c1225
pre-eminence1433
honoura1500
pre-eminency1555
a feather in the cap, hat1581
garland1591
honorarium1609
honorary1610
blushing honours1623
signal1655
gayness1670
honourability1694
honourable mention1797
special mention1886
society > education > educational administration > examination > [noun] > marks > specific marks
accessit1753
honour1774
credit1802
second class1810
firsta1830
first class1830
third class1844
Hons.1850
max1851
second1852
special mention1886
distinction?1890
A1892
E1892
pass mark1894
two-two1895
alpha1898
alpha plus1898
gamma1898
beta1902
delta1911
alpha minus1914
fourth1914
straight A1926
two-one1937
lower second1960
honourable mention2011
1797 Monthly Mag. July 31/1 No one of the memoirs which had been received had been judged worthy of the prize... The memoir..was the only one which seemed to deserve an honourable mention.
1831 New-Eng. Mag. Nov. 447/2 The scene of every skirmish, however trifling, is considered worthy of honorable mention.
1866 London Gaz. 26 June 3646/1 Grand prizes and money awards of the total value of 250,000 francs (£10,000), 100 Gold Medals,..5000 Honourable Mentions.
1869 Bradshaw's Railway Man. 21 App. 99 Honourable mention.—International Exhibition, 1862.
1958 Times 12 Sept. 13/1 The last crop of new ballets commissioned for the Edinburgh International Ballet company includes one winner, a near miss, and a very honourable mention.
1985 M. Meyer Strindberg iii. 37 Hermione had won—not, alas, the prize, but an honourable mention in the Swedish Academy's play competition.
2011 E. J. M. Rhoads Stepping forth into World viii. 130 Chen Jurong..won honorable mention for excellence in German.
honourable ordinary n. (also with capital initials) Heraldry = ordinary n. 14a.
ΚΠ
1572 J. Bossewell Wks. Armorie i. f. 12 The fowerth of the nyne honorable Ordinaries aforesaid, is a Bende.
1610 E. Bolton Elements of Armories xxxii. 188 Place things of one kind in Crosse, in Saltoir, in Fesse, or after any forme, or other of the honorable ordinaries, as in Bend, in Pale, and so forth.
1702 A. Nisbet Ess. Addit. Figures & Marks of Cadency 109 Not only the Honourable Ordinaries and Sub-ordinaries.., but even all other Figures and Representations, of things Natural and Arteficial, are made use of, for marks of Cadencie.
1866 J. E. Cussans Gram. Heraldry 13 Charges are divided into three classes—Honourable Ordinaries, Sub ordinaries, and Common Charges.
1922 H. Cole Heraldry & Floral Forms ii. 14 The Subordinaries are, like the Honourable Ordinaries, of ancient use, but..were not considered quite so important.
2004 J. Bradbury Routledge Compan. to Medieval Warfare iii. xv. 267/2 There are some dozen sub-ordinaries or general ordinaries, sometimes combining two honourable ordinaries.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† honourablev.
Obsolete. rare.
1. transitive. = honour v. 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > [verb (transitive)] > show respect for
wortheOE
to do worship to (also till, for)OE
honourc1275
worshipc1300
to make feasta1325
to do (a person or thing) honourc1330
observec1390
reverencec1400
weigh1423
honourable1455
worthya1500
honorify1606
to rise up to (also unto)1621
1455 in Paston Lett. (1904) III. 26 Plese it your hyghe Majeste..to be honorabled and worsshepyt as most ryghtffull Kyng and oure governour.
2. transitive. To address (a person) as ‘Honourable’ (see honourable adj. 5a).
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > title or form of address for persons of rank > address specific persons of rank [verb (transitive)]
begracec1522
belord1565
grace1597
highness1658
be-ladyship1811
honourable1877
esquire1887
1877 J. R. Lowell Let. 1 July (1894) II. viii. 196 It is altogether a bore to be honorabled at every turn.
1894 Lowell (Mass.) Daily Sun 6 Oct. 3/5 The Lord be pleased that we have no titles over here..for we should be ‘siring’ and ‘honorabling’ and ‘marquising’ and ‘ladying’ our own brothers and sisters.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adj.adv.n.c1384
v.1455