honour

Dignity, social rank, or privilege. Originating in the cursus honorum in Rome, a standard ‘course of honours’ through public office to the consulate, the concept of honour formerly held a dual sense of dignity and rank in aristocratic societies.

The formal attributes of honour persisted in such phrases as ‘word of honour’ and ‘man of honour’ until the modern era, with duelling classed as an ‘affair of honour’. Military and civil distinction is reflected in the US Medal of Honor and the French Legion of Honour (Légion d'honneur), founded by Napoleon I; an Honours List of awards for public service or achievement still exists in the UK. Honour was also used of a woman's reputation, notably for chastity or fidelity.