Etymograph

English

honourable

Honourable comes from Latin honōrō ‘to honour’, from honor ‘honor, repute’, and ultimately from Old Latin honōs.

  1. Old Latinc. 700–75 BCEhonōsearlier origin unknown
  2. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEhonor‘honor, repute’
  3. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEhonōrō‘to honour’
  4. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEhonōrābilis
  5. Old Frenchc. 842–1400honorable
  6. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500honourable
  7. Englishearliest quotation 1846same form

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Old Latinc. 700–75 BCEhonōsearlier origin unknown
  2. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEhonor‘honor, repute’
  3. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEhonōrō‘to honour’
  4. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEhonōrābilis
  5. Old Frenchc. 842–1400honorable
  6. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500honourable
  7. Englishearliest quotation 1846same form

Earliest quotation: 1846, George Luxford, Edward Newman: “It was aptly said by Newton that "whatever is…”

Equivalent to honour + -able

The story

In this sense, largely displaced Old English ārfæst.

Linked words

through Old Latin honōs

dishonor, 3 more

through Latin honor ‘honor, repute’

honor, dishonour, 4 more

through Middle English honourable

honorable

Today it means

adj UK standard spelling of honorable.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Old Latin honōs / honourable

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