dishonor

[ dis-on-er ]

/ dɪsˈɒn ər /

noun

lack or loss of honor; disgraceful or dishonest character or conduct.

disgrace; ignominy; shame: His arrest brought dishonor to his family.

an indignity; insult: to do someone a dishonor.

a cause of shame or disgrace: He is a dishonor to his family.

Commerce. failure or refusal of the drawee or intended acceptor of a bill of exchange or note to accept it or, if it is accepted, to pay and retire it.

verb (used with object)

to deprive of honor; disgrace; bring reproach or shame on.

Commerce. to fail or refuse to honor or pay (a draft, check, etc.).

to rape or seduce.

Nearby words

Also especially British, dis·hon·our.

Origin of dishonor

1250–1300; Middle English dishonour (noun), dishonouren (v.) < Anglo-French, Old French; see dis-¹, honor

Related formsdis·hon·or·er, nounun·dis·hon·ored, adjective

Synonym study

1, 2. See disgrace.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dishonour

Why, I shall hear next that Dishonour and Fraud are among the Institutions of the great republic!'
Charles Dickens on "Stand Your Ground" Laws|David Frum|March 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The memory of the terrible Tsar, the fear of him, was still alive in superstitious Russia, and none dared to dishonour his son.
The Historical Nights Entertainment, Second Series|Rafael Sabatini
Dishonour and prejudice would accrue to any sovereign who should upset the very nature of the constitution.
St George's Cross|H. G. Keene
No one will be less likely to commit adultery, or to dishonour his father and mother, or to fail in his religious duties?
The Republic|Plato

Glenmurray, I come to you for safety and protection;—I come to seek shelter in your arms from misery and dishonour.
Adeline Mowbray|Amelia Alderson Opie
It is no dishonour to you that I put those in command who have proved themselves able officers.
The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo, Vol 2 (of 2)|Bernal Diaz del Castillo

British Dictionary definitions for dishonour

dishonour

US dishonor

/ (dɪsˈɒnə) /

verb (tr)

to treat with disrespect

to fail or refuse to pay (a cheque, bill of exchange, etc)

to cause the disgrace of (a woman) by seduction or rape

noun

a lack of honour or respect

a state of shame or disgrace

a person or thing that causes a loss of honourhe was a dishonour to his family

an insult; affrontwe did him a dishonour by not including him

refusal or failure to accept or pay a commercial paper

Derived Formsdishonourer or US dishonorer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dishonour

dishonour

chiefly British English spelling of dishonor; also see -or. Related: Dishonoured; dishonouring; dishonourable; dishonourably.

dishonor

mid-13c., from Old French deshonorer (12c.), from Late Latin dishonorare (reformed from classical Latin dehonestare), from dis- "opposite of" (see dis-) + honorare (see honor). Related: Dishonored; dishonoring.

dishonor

c.1300, from Old French deshonor (12c.); see dishonor (v.).