c. 1200, "glory, renown, fame earned," from Anglo-French honour, Old French honor (Modern French honneur), from Latin honorem (nominative honos, later honor) "honor, dignity, office, reputation," of unknown origin. Till 17c., honour and honor were equally frequent; the former now preferred in England, the latter in U.S. by influence of Noah Webster's spelling reforms. Meaning "a woman's chastity" first attested late 14c. Honors "distinction in scholarship" attested by 1782. Honor roll in the scholastic sense attested by 1872. To do the honors (1650s) originally meant the customary civilities and courtesies at a public entertainment, etc.
honor (v.)
mid-13c., honuren, "to do honor to," from Old French honorer, from Latin honorare, from honor (see honor (n.)). In the commercial sense of "accept a bill due, etc.," it is recorded from 1706. Related: Honored; honoring.
A custom more honoured in the breach than the observance. Whoever will look up the passage (Hamlet I. iv. 16) will see that it means, beyond a doubt, a custom that one deserves more honour for breaking than for keeping: but it is often quoted in the wrong & very different sense of a dead letter or rule more often broken than kept. [Fowler]
实用例句
1. The Chinese make a point of their personal honor.
中国人特别重视个人荣誉.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. I feel honor bound to repay the money I borrowed.
我觉得有责任归还我借的钱.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. It's quite an honor to have two men fighting over me.
有两个人争着要我,我感到很荣幸.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. He swore by his honor he would return the bike.
他以自己的名誉发誓,保证归还自行车.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. They ran up a flag in honor of the president's visit.
