Dishonor, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dishonored; p. pr. & vb. n. Dishonoring.]
Etymology: [OE. deshonouren, F. déshonorer; pref. dés- (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.
1 more senses
Syn. -- To disgrace; shame; debase; degrade; lower; humble; humiliate; debauch; pollute.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Dishonor, n.
[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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for dishonor; he lists it under abase, blemish, disparage, stain.
Where he writes about it:
To dishonor a person is to deprive him of honor that should or might be given. — from abase