Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A pecuniary punishment or fine.
  • noun A recantation or reparation.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A pecuniary punishment or fine; a reparation or recantation.
  • noun (Old French Law) A species of infamous punishment in which the offender, being led into court with a rope about his neck, and a lighted torch in his hand, begged pardon of his God, the court, etc. In popular language, the phrase now denotes a public apology or recantation, and reparation to an injured party, for improper language or treatment.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A monetary punishment, a fine.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From French.

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Examples

  • It being now settled to my satisfaction, that Mr. Beamish and the great uncloaked were "convertible terms," I set about making the 'amende' in the most handsome manner possible.

    The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer — Volume 1 Charles James Lever 1839

  • It being now settled to my satisfaction, that Mr. Beamish and the great uncloaked were "convertible terms," I set about making the 'amende' in the most handsome manner possible.

    The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer — Complete Charles James Lever 1839

  • Evangelista's words as an honorable "amende," instead of judging them for what they were, a declaration of war.

    The Marriage Contract Honor�� de Balzac 1824

  • Laws, inserted by chapter 163 of the acts of 1949, is hereby etc'amende'd. amended by inserting after the word "ragweed" in lines 2 and 4, in each instance, the words: —, goldenrod and poison ivy, — so as to read as follows: — (36A) For acquiring information regarding the growth of amhorw fo?

    Acts and resolves passed by the General Court 1663

  • "amende" as gratefully as if it had been the most graceful of acknowledgments.

    The Governess Julie Mathilde Lippmann

  • "amende"'acts of 1946, and inserting in place thereof the following section: — Section 461.

    Acts and resolves passed by the General Court 1663

  • “O conquerour of Brutes Albyon,” he added, “which that by lyne and free eleccion been verray kyng, this song to yow I sende, and ye, that mowen alle oure harmes amende, have mynde upon my supplicacion.”

    A Complaint to His Purse 2010

  • L'un d'eux lui a reproché d'avoir été l'artisan des coupes salariales sans précédent, de l'ordre de 20 %, en 1982-83, et lui a demandé de faire amende honorable.

    Archive 2007-06-01 uncorrectedproofs 2007

  • Little Menie was the first person to whom he made the amende honorable; and a much smaller propitiation than the new doll with which he presented her would have been accepted as an atonement for a much greater offence.

    The Surgeon's Daughter 2008

  • Yet, notwithstanding the amende honorable thus made by Cid Hamet

    The Monastery 2008

Comments

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  • 'Make better, reform'

    April 15, 2008