affair of honor
Pistols at dawn
An affair of honor is a dispute or confrontation—typically a duel—arising from an insult or perceived offense to one's reputation.
The phrase belongs to an era when gentlemen settled slights with pistols or swords: Hamilton died in an affair of honor with Aaron Burr.
Now used historically or with deliberate formality.
- secondsTime units, or extras
- rapiersSlender double-edged swords
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
- pistols at dawnScheduled honor combat
- pistolsSmall one-handed firearms
at dawn · first blood · mortal wound · satisfaction · satisfaction demanded · gentleman · paces · swords · challenge · slap in the face · vindication · dawn · cartel · swordsmanship · provocation · insult · dueling pistols · chivalric code
- Duelingduel, duels, dueling, duelist, pistols at dawn
- swordplayfencer, swordsman, sword fighting, swordsmanship, parry
affair of honorlawsuit
Civil court proceeding
legal proceeding · court case · litigation · civil suit · arbitration
honor, affair, honored, honorable, honoring, affairs, dishonorable, honorably, dishonored