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Homage entered English through which language?

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homage

American  

[hom-ij, om-, oh-mahzh] / ˈhɒm ɪdʒ, ˈɒm-, oʊˈmɑʒ /

noun

1. 

   respect or reverence paid or rendered.

   In his speech he paid homage to Washington and Jefferson.

   Synonyms:

   tribute, honor, obeisance, deference

   Antonyms:

   irreverence

2. the formal public acknowledgment by which a feudal tenant or vassal declared himself to be the man or vassal of his lord, owing him fealty and service.

3. the relation thus established of a vassal to his lord.

   Synonyms:

   devotion, loyalty, fidelity

   Antonyms:

   disloyalty

4. something done or given in acknowledgment or consideration of the worth of another.

   a Festschrift presented as an homage to a great teacher.

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homage British  

/ ˈhɒmɪdʒ /

noun

1. a public show of respect or honour towards someone or something (esp in the phrases pay or do homage to )

2. 1. the act of respect and allegiance made by a vassal to his lord See also fealty

   2. something done in acknowledgment of vassalage

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verb

1. archaic to render homage to

homage Cultural  

1. Under feudalism, the personal submission of a vassal to a lord, by which the vassal pledged to serve the lord and the lord to protect the vassal.

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Etymology

Origin of homage

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (h)omage, from Old French, equivalent to (h)ome “man” (from Latin hominem, accusative of homō; see Homo) + -age -age

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Explanation

Homage means great respect and honor, or something done to honor a person or thing. We pay homage to our ancestors and say prayers in homage to their memory. In Middle English, homage specifically referred to respect for and loyalty to a feudal lord. The word was borrowed from Old French, probably from omne, homme "man," from Latin homō. The noun suffix –age is used to mean "an action, process, result, or state."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

homage

Gabriel Kahane composed its musical homage to Ms. Nicks and made reference to one of her songs, “Landslide.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

This outing is, clearly, an homage, but by the end I have concluded that it is simply an art project, which is a fully legitimate reason to do something.

From Salon ● Oct. 7, 2026

When he moved to California, he changed his name in homage to the “Batman” character he admired.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

Lady In Blue by New York artist Tschabalala Self, which pays homage to a young, metropolitan woman, is the 16th artwork to feature on the plinth since 1998.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

Jon wondered which of his father’s banner- men had refused King Stannis homage this time.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

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Related Words

• allegiance
• deference
• loyalty
• reverence
• tribute

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