Hon"es*ty (?), n. [OE. honeste, oneste, honor, OF. honest'e, onest'e (cf. F. honnetet'e), 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.
© Webster 1913.