Hon"or*a*ble (?), a. [F. honorable, L. honorabilis.]
1.
Worthy of honor; fit to be esteemed or regarded; estimable; illustrious.
Thy name and honorable family.
Shak.
2.
High-minded; actuated by principles of honor, or a scrupulous regard to probity, rectitude, or reputation.
3.
Proceeding from an upright and laudable cause, or directed to a just and proper end; not base; irreproachable; fair; as, an honorable motive.
Is this proceeding just and honorable?
Shak.
4.
Conferring honor, or produced by noble deeds.
Honorable wounds from battle brought.
Dryden.
5.
Worthy of respect; regarded with esteem; to be commended; consistent with honor or rectitude.
Marriage is honorable in all.
Heb. xiii. 4.
6.
Performed or accompanied with marks of honor, or with testimonies of esteem; an honorable burial.
7.
Of reputable association or use; respectable.
Let her descend: my chambers are honorable.
Shak.
8.
An epithet of respect or distinction; as, the honorable Senate; the honorable gentleman.
⇒ Honorable is a title of quality, conferred by English usage upon the younger children of earls and all the children of viscounts and barons. The maids of honor, lords of session, and the supreme judges of England and Ireland are entitled to the prefix. In American usage, it is a title of courtesy merely, bestowed upon those who hold, or have held, any of the higher public offices, esp. governors, judges, members of Congress or of the Senate, mayors.
Right honorable. See under Right.
© Webster 1913.