prefatory, honorable, Hon., on one's honor,

For more than two weeks the visitor lived amid a round of evening parties and dinners; wherefore he spent (as the saying goes) a very pleasant time. Finally he decided to extend his visits beyond the urban boundaries by going and calling upon landowners Manilov and Sobakevitch, seeing that he had promised on his honour to do so. Yet what really incited him to this may have been a more essential cause, a matter of greater gravity, a purpose which stood nearer to his heart, than the motive which I have just given; and of that purpose the reader will learn if only he will have the patience to read this prefatory narrative (which, lengthy though it be, may yet develop and expand in proportion as we approach the denouement with which the present work is destined to be crowned).

on one's honor

Entrusted to behave honorably and honestly without supervision. For example, The students were on their honor not to consult notes during the exam. Originally alluding to a solemn oath, this idiom dates from the mid-1400s.



"All in the golden afternoon..." (the prefatory verse, an original poem by Carroll that recalls the rowing expedition on which he first told the story of Alice's adventures underground)

prefatory

(prĕf'ə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē)
adj.
Of, relating to, or constituting a preface; introductory. See synonyms at preliminary.

[From Latin praefātus, past participle of praefārī, to say before. See preface.]

prefatorily pref'a·to'ri·ly adv.

William Cameron Forbes奇人奇事
honorable,

[形]

1 〈人・行為などが〉正しい, 高潔な, りっぱな

honorable conduct
りっぱな行為

honorable mention
佳作

I assured her that my intentions were honorable.
彼女に下心などないと言った.

2 〈人が〉りっぱな, 高貴な, すぐれた

He is truly an honorable figure.
彼は本当に立派な人だ.

3 〈人・物・事が〉名誉［尊敬］に値する；〈事・物が〉名誉［栄光］ある

an honorable death
名誉の死

an honorable burial
（故人の）栄光にふさわしい葬儀

honorable discharge
名誉除隊

All work is honorable.
仕事に貴賎(きせん)はない.

4 〈取り決め・合意などが〉（全関係者に）公平な.

5 ((H-))閣下.
(1) ((英))侯爵以下の子弟と女官, 高等法院判事, 自治領・植民地の行政管などに対する敬称

the Honorable gentleman ［＝my Honorable friend］
下院議員が互いに呼び合うときの呼称.

(2) ((米))国会議員や州議員などに対する敬称.

honorable
(ŏn'ər-ə-bəl)
adj.

1. Deserving or winning honor and respect: led an honorable life.
2. Bringing distinction or recognition: honorable service to one's nation.
3. Possessing and characterized by honor: an honorable person.
4. Consistent with honor or good name: followed the only honorable course of action.
5. Distinguished; illustrious: this honorable gathering of scholars.
6. Attended by marks of recognition and honor: received an honorable burial.
7. Honorable (Abbr. Hon.)
   1. Used as a title of respect for certain high government officials: The Honorable Jane Doe, Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.
   2. Used as a courtesy title for the children of barons and viscounts and the younger sons of earls.
   3. Used in the House of Commons as a title of respect when speaking of another member.

honorableness hon'or·a·ble·ness n.
honorably hon'or·a·bly adv.