Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HON'EST, a. [on'est; Fr. honnête, for honeste; Sp. and Port. honesto; It. onesto; from L. honestus, from honos, honor.]

1. Upright; just; fair in dealing with others; free from trickishness and fraud; acting and having the disposition to act at all times according to justice or correct moral principles; applied to persons. 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. Temple.
2. Fair; just; equitable; free from fraud; as, an honest transaction; an honest transfer of property.
3. Frank; sincere; unreserved; according to truth; as, an honest confession.
4. Sincere; proceeding from pure or just principles, or directed to a good object; as, an honest inquiry after truth; an honest endeavor; honest views or motives.
5. Fair; good; unimpeached. Seek seven men of honest report. Acts vi.
6. Decent; honorable, or suitable. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Rom. xii.
7. Chaste; faithful. Wives may be merry, and yet honest too. Shak.