amende honorable

noun

amende ho·​no·​ra·​ble
ȧmääⁿdȯnȯrȧblᵊ,
-b(lə)
plural amendes honorables
"
: reparation for a crime or injury formerly consisting in such a formal and humiliating acknowledgment of offense and apology as will restore the injured or offended honor of the one wronged
broadly : a full acknowledgment of error with apology

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, honorable reparation

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amende honorable was in 1613

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Dictionary Entries Near amende honorable

Cite this Entry

“Amende honorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amende%20honorable. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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