honor
The English word 'honor' is translated into Latin as honor.
The term honor refers to excellence of character, high moral worth or virtue.
Meaning: excellence of character, high moral worth, virtue (noun)
Which one should you use?
Other formal terms exist for different nuances: Dignitas is used for honor as dignity, respect or esteem. Honos is used for honor as a mark of respect. And Gloria is used for honor as glory or fame.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes depending on its role in a sentence. The accusative singular form, used as a direct object, is honorem. The genitive singular form, meaning 'of honor', is honoris. The plural form, honores, can refer to multiple honors or specifically to public offices and social status.
Did you know?
- The term honores was used to describe the actual physical insignia of office, such as the purple-bordered toga worn by high-ranking magistrates.
- Despite being a cornerstone of Latin morality, the exact root of honor is a mystery, as it lacks clear relatives in the Proto-Indo-European language family.
- In Roman political life, the plural honores referred specifically to the 'cursus honorum', the strictly ordered sequence of public offices that a politician had to hold to reach the top of the state.
Examples in context
- Honorem perdidit.He lost his honor.This sentence demonstrates the use of honor as a direct object.Tatoeba #6951607 by CarpeLanam, translation #299804 by CK
- In toto corde tuo honora patrem tuum, et gemitus matris tuae ne obliviscaris: memento quoniam nisi per illos natus non fuisses, et retribue illis, quomodo et illi tibi.Honor your father with all your heart, and do not forget your mother's labor pains. Remember that by them you were begotten, and try to repay them for what you have received from them.Tatoeba #11084518 by carlosalberto, translation #11084550 by carlosalberto
- Honor est praecipuum boni hominis.Honor is the chief quality of a good man.
Example conversation
Two friends discuss the qualities of a virtuous person.
- QuintusQuid est verum bonum?What is true good?
- JuliaHonor est in virtute.Honor is found in virtue.
- QuintusTu es femina sapientissima, Iulia.You are a very wise woman, Julia.
- JuliaGratias tibi ago, Quinte.Thank you, Quintus.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries honor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
