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. 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.