Category:Dishonor

Dis*hon"or, n. Etym: [OE. deshonour, dishonour, OF. deshonor, deshonur, F. déshonneur; pref. des- (L. dis-) + honor, honur, F. honneur, fr. L. honor. See Honor.] [Written also dishonour.]

1. Lack of honor; disgrace; ignominy; shame; reproach. It was not meet for us to see the king's dishonor. Ezra iv. 14. His honor rooted in dishonor stood. Tennyson.

2. (Law)

Defn: The nonpayment or nonacceptance of commercial paper by the party on whom it is drawn.

Syn. -- Disgrace; ignominy; shame; censure; reproach; opprobrium.

dishonor Dis*hon"or, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dishonored; p. pr. & vb. n. Dishonoring.] Etym: [OE. deshonouren, F. déshonorer; pref. dés- (L. dis-) + honorer to honor, fr. L. honorare. See Honor, v. t.] [Written also dishonour.]

1. To deprive of honor; to disgrace; to bring reproach or shame on; to treat with indignity, or as unworthy in the sight of others; to stain the character of; to lessen the reputation of; as, the duelist dishonors himself to maintain his honor. Nothing. . . that may dishonor Our law, or stain my vow of Nazarite. Milton.

2. To violate the chastity of; to debauch. Dryden.

3. To refuse or decline to accept or pay; -- said of a bill, check, note, or draft which is due or presented; as, to dishonor a bill exchange.

Syn. -- To disgrace; shame; debase; degrade; lower; humble; humiliate; debauch; pollute.