Hon"est (?), a. [OE. honest, onest, OF. honeste, oneste, F. honnete, L. honestus, fr. honos, honor, honor. See Honor.] 1. Decent; honorable; suitable; becoming.
Chaucer.
Belong what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching!
Shak.
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.
An honest man's the noblest work of God.
Pope.
An honest physician leaves his patient when he can contribute no farther to his health.
Sir W. Temple.
Look ye out among you seven men of honest report.
Acts vi. 3.
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom. xii. 17.
3. Open; frank; as, an honest countenance.
4. Chaste; faithfuk; virtuous.
Wives may be merry, and yet honest too.
Shak.
Syn. -- Upright; ingenuous; honorable; trusty; faithful; equitable; fair; just; rightful; sincere; frank; candid; genuine.
© Webster 1913.
Hon"est, v. t. [L. honestare to clothe or adorn with honor: cf. F. honester. See Honest, a.] To adorn; to grace; to honor; to make becoming, appropriate, or honorable. [Obs.]
Abp. Sandys.
© Webster 1913. | 
