dishonor Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a state of shame or disgrace
    dishonour.
    • he was resigned to a life of dishonor
  2. noun lacking honor or integrity
    dishonour.
  3. verb bring shame or dishonor upon
    disgrace; dishonour; attaint; shame.
    • he dishonored his family by committing a serious crime
  4. verb force (someone) to have sex against their will
    violate; ravish; assault; dishonour; outrage; rape.
    • The woman was raped on her way home at night
  5. verb refuse to accept
    dishonour.
    • dishonor checks and drafts

WordNet

Dis*hon"or noun
Etymology
OE. deshonour, dishonour, OF. deshonor, deshonur, F. déshonneur; pref. des- (L. dis-) + honor, honur, F. honneur, fr. L. honor. See Honor.
Definitions
  1. Lack of honor; disgrace; ignominy; shame; reproach.
    It was not meet for us to see the king's dishonor. Ezra iv. 14.
    His honor rooted in dishonor stood. Tennyson.
  2. (Law) The nonpayment or nonacceptance of commercial paper by the party on whom it is drawn. Syn. -- Disgrace; ignominy; shame; censure; reproach; opprobrium.
Dis*hon"or transitive verb
Etymology
OE. deshonouren, F. déshonorer; pref. dés- (L. dis-) + honorer to honor, fr. L. honorare. See Honor, v. t.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Dishonored ; present participle & verbal noun Dishonoring
Definitions
  1. To deprive of honor; to disgrace; to bring reproach or shame on; to treat with indignity, or as unworthy in the sight of others; to stain the character of; to lessen the reputation of; as, the duelist dishonors himself to maintain his honor.
    Nothing . . . that may dishonor Our law, or stain my vow of Nazarite. Milton.
  2. To violate the chastity of; to debauch. Dryden.
  3. To refuse or decline to accept or pay; -- said of a bill, check, note, or draft which is due or presented; as, to dishonor a bill exchange. Syn. -- To disgrace; shame; debase; degrade; lower; humble; humiliate; debauch; pollute.

Webster 1913