a. [ OE. honest, onest, OF. honeste, oneste, F. honnête, L. honestus, fr. honos, honor, honor. See Honor. ] 1. Decent; honorable; suitable; becoming. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] Belong what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Characterized by integrity or fairness and straightforwardness in conduct, thought, speech, etc.; upright; just; equitable; trustworthy; truthful; sincere; free from fraud, guile, or duplicity; not false; -- said of persons and acts, and of things to which a moral quality is imputed; as, an honest judge or merchant; an honest statement; an honest bargain; an honest business; an honest book; an honest confession. [ 1913 Webster ] An honest man's the noblest work of God. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ] An honest physician leaves his patient when he can contribute no farther to his health. Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ] Look ye out among you seven men of honest report. Acts vi. 3. [ 1913 Webster ] Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Rom. xii. 17. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Open; frank; as, an honest countenance. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Chaste; faithful; virtuous. [ 1913 Webster ] Wives may be merry, and yet honest too. Shak. Syn. -- Upright; ingenuous; honorable; trusty; faithful; equitable; fair; just; rightful; sincere; frank; candid; genuine. [ 1913 Webster ] |