homage

[hom-ij, om-, oh-mahzh]

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.

homage

/ 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

verb

1. archaic,  to render homage to

homage

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of homage¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of homage¹

C13: from Old French, from home man, from Latin homo

Example Sentences

Dame Sarah does not legally take on her new role until a confirmation of election in January, and an enthronement service comes later, after they have paid homage to the King.

From BBC

Therein, we find Swift superstitiously "knocking on wood" that their relationship will last, and knocking wood in the bedroom, in an unexpected homage to her fiancé's "manhood".

From BBC

The Grammy-nominated country star’s This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen, named after one of his songs and paying homage to his upbringing, opened in Nashville last year.

From Los Angeles Times

Diners — white, Black, Latino, Asian, Muslim — cheered as divers twisted and turned off a 30-foot fake waterfall into a small pool every 20 minutes in an homage to Acapulco’s famous clavadistas.

From Los Angeles Times

Inside Tinker’s office is an homage to Hollywood history.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allegiance 
• deference 
• loyalty 
• reverence 
• tribute