amende honorable
amende honorable ([schwa]-mend on-[schwa]-r[schwa]-b[schwa]l or a-mawnd on-[schwa]-rah-b[schwa]l). [French “honorable reparation”] Hist. A formal reparation for an offense or injury, done by making an open and usu. humiliating acknowledgment and apology so as to restore the victim’s honor. • This apology could be accomplished, for example, by walking into church with a rope around the neck and a torch in hand, begging forgiveness from the injured party.
