honour
/ˈɒnər/
noun
Origin
Latin
honor — esteem, public office, reputation
Overview
Meaning Now
- High respect, esteem, or public regard.
- A privilege or source of pride.
- Adherence to a code of ethics or moral integrity.
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
onur
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The spelling 'honour' reflects the word's entry into English through French after the Norman Conquest. In the 18th century, British English lexicographers such as Samuel Johnson favored the '-our' spelling as a mark of the word's etymological pedigree, while American English reformers later sought to simplify the spelling to 'honor'.
Evolution
- Latin
honor
“esteem, dignity, public office”
- Old French
honor, onor
“esteem, respect”
- Middle English
honour
“reputation, respect”
Introduced via Anglo-Norman French
- Modern English
honour
“moral integrity or public respect”
Preserved 'u' in British spelling while US usage shifted to 'honor'.
Connections
Word parts
honor
root
esteem
-our
suffix
state or condition
Related across languages
French
honneur
honour
Spanish
honour
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.