WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Hon"es*ty
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE. honeste, oneste, honor, OF. honest?, onest? (cf. F. honn?tet?), L. honestas. See Honest, a.]
Definition : 1. Honor; honorableness; dignity; propriety; suitableness; decency. [Obs.] Chaucer. She derives her honesty and achieves her goodness. Shak.

2. The quality or state of being honest; probity; fairness and straightforwardness of conduct, speech, etc.; integrity; sincerity; truthfulness; freedom from fraud or guile. That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Tim. ii. 2.

3. Chastity; modesty. Chaucer. To lay . . . siege to the honesty of this Ford's wife. Shak.

4. (Bot.)

Defn: Satin flower; the name of two cruciferous herbs having large flat pods, the round shining partitions of which are more beautiful than the blossom; -- called also lunary and moonwort. Lunaria biennis is common honesty; L. rediva is perennial honesty.

Syn. -- Integrity; probity; uprightness; trustiness; faithfulness; honor; justice; equity; fairness; candor; plain-dealing; veracity; sincerity.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913