First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1dishonor
noun dis·hon·or \(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nər also (ˌ)diz-\
: loss or lack of honor : damage to your reputation and loss of respect from other people
Full Definition of DISHONOR
1
: lack or loss of honor or reputation
2
: the state of one who has lost honor or prestige : shame <has brought dishonor on his family>
3
: a cause of disgrace
4
: the nonpayment or nonacceptance of commercial paper by the party on whom it is drawn
— dis·hon·or·er \-ˈän-ər-ər\ noun
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Origin of DISHONOR
Middle English dishonour, from Anglo-French deshonur, from des- dis- + honur honor
Related to DISHONOR
Synonym Discussion of DISHONOR
disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, infamy, ignominy mean the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach. disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism <sent home in disgrace>. dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem <preferred death to life with dishonor>. disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation <a once proud name fallen into disrepute>. infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame <a day that lives in infamy>. ignominy stresses humiliation <the ignominy of being arrested>.
2dishonor
verb
: to cause (someone or something) to lose honor : to cause (someone or something) to no longer be respected
: to fail to do what is required by (a promise, contract, etc.) : to fail to honor (something)
of a bank : to refuse to give out the money promised by (a check)
Full Definition of DISHONOR
transitive verb
1
a : to treat in a degrading manner b : to bring shame on
2
: to refuse to accept or pay (as a bill or check)
See dishonor defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DISHONOR
13th century
DISHONOR Defined for Kids
1dishonor
noun dis·hon·or \dis-ˈä-nər\
Definition of DISHONOR for Kids
1
: loss of honor or good name <He felt retreat would bring dishonor.>
2
: a cause of disgrace <Her failure was a family dishonor.>
2dishonor
verb
dis·hon·oreddis·hon·or·ing
Definition of DISHONOR for Kids
: to bring shame on : disgrace <He dishonored his parents.>
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