HONOUR, a term which may be defined as respect, esteem or deference paid to, or received by, a person in consideration of his character, worth or position ; also the state or condition of the person exciting the feeling or expression of such esteem; particu larly a high personal character coupled with conduct in accordance with a nice sense of what is right and true and due to the position so held. Further, the word is commonly used of the dignities, dis tinctions or titles, granted as a mark of such esteem or as a reward for services or merit, and quite generally of the credit or renown conferred by a person or thing on the country, town or particular society to which he or it belongs. The standard of conduct may be laid down not only by a sense of what is due to lofty personal character but also by the usages of society, hence it is that debts which cannot be legally enforced, such as gambling debts, are called "debts of honour." Similarly in the middle ages and later, courts, known as "courts of honour," sat to decide questions such as precedence, disputes as to coat armour, etc. (see CHIVALRY) ; such courts, chiefly military, are found in countries where duelling has not fallen into desuetude (see DUEL).
In English the word was spelled with or without the u indiffer ently until the 17th century, but during the 18th century it became fashionable to spell the word "honor" ; Johnson's and Webster's Dictionaries stereotyped the English and American spellings respectively.