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Debt of honor

Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Honor \Hon"or\, 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.

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

   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.

            If she have forgot Honor and virtue.  --Shak.

            Godlike erect, with native honor clad. --Milton.

   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.

            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.

            I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not
            honor more.                           --Lovelace.

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

            I have given thee . . . both riches, and honor. --1
                                                  Kings iii. 13.

            Thou art clothed with honor and majesty. --Ps. civ.
                                                  1.

   5. Fame; reputation; credit.

            Some in theiractions do woo, and affect honor and
            reputation.                           --Bacon.

            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.

   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.

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

   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}.

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

   10. pl. Academic or university prizes or distinctions; as,
       honors in classics.

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

   {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, 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.
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