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

Related Words

• allegiance 
• deference 
• loyalty 
• reverence 
• tribute