Dis*hon"or (?), n. [OE. deshonour, dishonour, OF. deshonor, deshonur, F. d'eshonneur; pref. des- (L. dis-) + honor, honur, F. honneur, fr. L. honor. See Honor.] [Written also dishonour.]
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.
© Webster 1913.
Dis*hon"or (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dishonored (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dishonoring.] [OE. deshonouren, F. d'eshonorer; pref. d'es- (L. dis-) + honorer to honor, fr. L. honorare. See Honor, v. t.] [Written also dishonour.]
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.