Definitions

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

  • noun shame or disgrace
  • noun a lack of honour or integrity
  • noun law Failure or refusal of the drawee or intended acceptor of a negotiable instrument, such as a bill of exchange or note, to accept it or, if it is accepted, to pay and retire it.
  • verb to bring disgrace upon someone or something; to shame
  • verb to refuse to accept something, such as a cheque
  • verb to violate or rape

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb bring shame or dishonor upon
  • noun a state of shame or disgrace
  • noun lacking honor or integrity
  • verb refuse to accept
  • verb force (someone) to have sex against their will

Etymologies

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Examples

  • That the process involves the FCO in dishonesty, deviousness and dishonour is emphatically encapsulated in the apparent scheme whereby Brussels will delay proposals to scrap Britain's annual £3 billion rebate.

    Archive 2007-12-23 2007

  • That the process involves the FCO in dishonesty, deviousness and dishonour is emphatically encapsulated in the apparent scheme whereby Brussels will delay proposals to scrap Britain's annual £3 billion rebate.

    When The EU Wants To Know What The People Think, It Asks Itself 2007

  • We saw a president fleeing in dishonour and disgrace for the portals of the White House, and we were sad-less for him, than for ourselves.

    Perspectives on Politics 1985

  • We must be in it to avoid national dishonour and disgrace, for dishonour is the open door to disintegration and decay.

    The War 1914

  • 'Peace, young man,' said Herries, more calmly than I might have expected; 'the word dishonour must not be mentioned as in conjunction with my name.

    Redgauntlet Walter Scott 1801

  • It was dishonourable to’ — ‘Peace, young man,’ said Herries, more calmly than I might have expected; ‘the word dishonour must not be mentioned as in conjunction with my name.

    Redgauntlet 2008

  • Consider the end of any temptation; this is Satan's end and sin's end, -- that is, the dishonour of God and the ruin of our souls.

    Of Temptation 1616-1683 1967

  • The difference between the vessels to honour and those to dishonour, that is, of mercy and wrath, does not appertain to the adorning or perfection of the universe or of the house of God.

    The Works of James Arminius, Vol. 2 1560-1609 1956

  • I had duly weighed, my first idea was to dart head first athwart this intrigue in which my dishonour was a certainty.

    French and Oriental Love in a Harem Mario Uchard

  • In orations of praise, and in invectives, the fancy is predominant, because the design is not truth, but to honour or dishonour, which is done by noble or by vile comparisons.

    Chapter VIII. Of the Virtues Commonly Called Intellectual, and Their Contrary Defects 1909

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  • "Male parta, male dilabuntur." (What is dishonourably got is dishonourably squandered). Cicero, Philippics II, 27.

    See also dishonor.

    January 24, 2008