Hon"es*ty (?), n. [OE. honeste,
oneste, honor, OF. honesté, onesté
(cf. F. honnêteté), L. honestas. See
Honest, a.] 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.) 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.
