Honoured

/ˈɒnəd/ verb/adjective

Definition

Past tense of honour (British spelling); showed respect or recognition, or feeling respected and privileged.

Etymology

From Old French honor, from Latin honor meaning 'esteem, dignity'. The spelling with 'u' is maintained in British English while American English dropped it. The concept evolved from Roman ideas of public recognition and moral worth.

Kelly Says

The British spelling 'honoured' preserves the French influence on English after the Norman Conquest. The extra 'u' in words like honour, colour, and flavour serves as a linguistic fossil, showing England's complex relationship with its continental neighbors.

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