Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Homage \Hom"age\, n. [OF. homage, homenage, F. hommage, LL.
   hominaticum, homenaticum, from L. homo a man, LL. also, a
   client, servant, vassal; akin to L. humus earth, Gr.? on the
   ground, and E. groom in bridegroom. Cf. {Bridegroom},
   {Human}.]
   1. (Feud. Law) A symbolical acknowledgment made by a feudal
      tenant to, and in the presence of, his lord, on receiving
      investiture of fee, or coming to it by succession, that he
      was his man, or vassal; profession of fealty to a
      sovereign.

   2. Respect or reverential regard; deference; especially,
      respect paid by external action; obeisance.

            All things in heaven and earth do her [Law] homage.
                                                  --Hooker.

            I sought no homage from the race that write. --Pope.

   3. Reverence directed to the Supreme Being; reverential
      worship; devout affection. --Chaucer.

   Syn: Fealty; submission; reverence; honor; respect.

   Usage: {Homage}, {Fealty}. Homage was originally the act of a
          feudal tenant by which he declared himself, on his
          knees, to be the hommage or bondman of the lord; hence
          the term is used to denote reverential submission or
          respect. Fealty was originally the fidelity of such a
          tenant to his lord, and hence the term denotes a
          faithful and solemn adherence to the obligations we
          owe to superior power or authority. We pay our homage
          to men of pre["e]minent usefulness and virtue, and
          profess our fealty to the principles by which they
          have been guided.

                Go, go with homage yon proud victors meet ! Go,
                lie like dogs beneath your masters' feet !
                                                  --Dryden.

                Man, disobeying, Disloyal, breaks his fealty,
                and sins Against the high supremacy of heaven.
                                                  --Milton.

Homage \Hom"age\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Homaged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Homaging}.] [Cf. OF. hommager.]
   1. To pay reverence to by external action. [R.]

   2. To cause to pay homage. [Obs.] --Cowley.

Source : WordNet®

homage
     n : respectful deference; "pay court to the emperor" [syn: {court}]