honest
/ˈɒn.ɪst/ · adj
Meaning
- Scrupulous with regard to telling the truth; not given to swindling, lying, or fraud; upright.
- True, especially as far as is known by the person making the statement; fair; unbiased.
- In good faith; without malice.
- Accurate.
- Authentic; full.
- Earned or acquired in a fair manner.
- Open; frank.
- Decent; honourable; suitable; becoming.
- Chaste; faithful; virtuous.
- To adorn or grace; to honour; to make becoming, appropriate, or honourable.
- Honestly; really.
Etymology / origin
From Middle English honest, honeste (“honourable, appropriate, excellent”), from Old French honeste, from Latin honestus, from honor. For the verb, see Latin honestāre (“to clothe or adorn with honour”), and compare French honester. Displaced native Old English sōþfæst (literally “truth-firm”).
- sōþfæst(ang)→
- honester(fr)→
- honestāre(la)→
- honestus(Latin)→
- honeste(Old French)→
- honest(Middle English)→
- honest (English)
- Relations: inh, der, der, cog, cog, inh
Related words
Descendant words
- honesta(Ido) (bor)
- gonest(Welsh) (bor)
- onest(Welsh) (bor)
Sources
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