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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. |
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| I would ask His Honour (if I might be permitted) whether there are not many objects of great interest in the city which is under his beneficent sway? Bennet, Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together, soon after breakfast, he addressed the mother in these words: "May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Elizabeth, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the course of this morning? The original causes which dispose men to the things which I have mentioned are, taken in one manner, seven in number, in another they are more; two of which are the same with those that have been already mentioned: but influencing in a different manner; for profit and honour sharpen men against each other; not to get the possession of them for themselves (which was what I just now supposed), but when they see others, some justly, others [1302b] unjustly, engrossing them. |