honesty

Pronunciation: /ˈɑ.nɪ.sti/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the quality of being honest
  2. noun southeastern European plant cultivated for its fragrant purplish flowers and round flat papery silver-white seedpods that are used for indoor decoration

Etymology

From Middle English honeste (“honour, integrity”), from Old French honesté (compare modern French honnêteté) (honest + -y); the plant, from the visibility of the seeds through the translucent pods. Displaced native Old English sōþfæstnes; and non-native Middle English prodonomee, from Old French prodomie.

In classic literature

Synonyms

honestness

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
righteousness
Narrower (hyponyms)
good faith, incorruptibility, candor, integrity, truthfulness, scrupulousness
Opposite (antonyms)
dishonesty

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