honours

honours
Twice a year several hundred British people who have distinguished themselves in some way receive a variety of honours. A few are given life peerages, some are made knights, and many others are given lesser awards. The honours lists are published on New Year’s Day (the New Year Honours) and in mid June on the present Queen’s official birthday (the Birthday Honours). At the end of each parliament before a general election, the Prime Minister recommends a list of politicians for the Dissolution Honours.
  For a long time honours were given almost automatically to senior members of the armed forces and the Civil Service, and to those who had contributed to party political funds. In 1993 John Major announced a reduction in the number of such honours and said that more awards were to be given to members of the public nominated for honours by colleagues and friends, or by people who admire their achievements. The Ceremonial Secretariat receives nominations and draws up a final list which is approved by the prime minister. As well as the names of politicians and businessmen, it contains charity workers, well-known sports and television personalities, actors, musicians, etc, and many ordinary people. Honours are awarded by the king or queen in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
  Many of the honours are associated with one of several orders of chivalry. Some of the orders have different grades of membership, e.g. ‘knight’, ‘commander’, ‘officer’ and ‘member’. Many people are given awards in the Order of the British Empire. Famous people may be given a CBE (commander rank) or OBE (officer rank); people recommended by members of the public are usually given an MBE (member rank). Some people think the Order of the British Empire should be renamed to get rid of the outdated reference to the Empire, but in 2004 it was decided that the name should not be changed. Most honours allow a person to put the appropriate letters after their name. In addition to these honours there are many medals and decorations for bravery, for civilians as well as for members of the police and the armed forces.
  In the US there is no system of honours like that in Britain, though a number of medals are awarded for outstanding achievement or for bravery. These include the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • honours — n. A university degree with honors; a term used in Great Britain. [Brit.] Syn: honours degree. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • honours — [plural] (UK ► a level of university qualification that is a higher standard than the basic level: »an honours degree »to graduate with honours Main Entry: ↑honour …   Financial and business terms

  • honours — a course of degree studies more specialized than for an ordinary pass. → honour honours a special distinction for proficiency in an examination. → honour honours possession of at least four of these cards in the trump suit, or of all four aces in …   English new terms dictionary

  • honours — UK [ˈɒnə(r)z] / US [ˈɑnərz] noun [plural] 1) a level of university degree that is higher than an ordinary degree first class/second class honours (= the highest or second highest level of degree): She gained first class honours in Modern… …   English dictionary

  • honours — noun a university degree with honors • Syn: ↑honours degree • Regions: ↑United Kingdom, ↑UK, ↑U.K., ↑Britain, ↑United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, ↑Great Britain …   Useful english dictionary

  • honours lists — ➡ honours * * * …   Universalium

  • honours —    honour    British    a system whereby politicians reward supporters and discourage dissidents    Although nominally under royal patronage, those chosen for inclusion are selected by government on populist or political grounds, an honour being… …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • honours degree — honours de.gree n a British university degree that is above the basic level in one or two particular subjects first/second/third class honours degree joint honours degree (=a degree in two main subjects) …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • honours list — honours lists N COUNT: usu the N in sing, oft supp N In Britain, the honours list is the list of people who have been selected to receive titles or awards from the Queen because of their achievements. He has been made an MBE in the New Year… …   English dictionary

  • honours easy — Honours evenly divided (at cards, etc) • • • Main Entry: ↑easy honours easy see under ↑ease • • • Main Entry: ↑honour …   Useful english dictionary

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