Legal Definitions - amende honorable

Definition: Amende honorable is a French term that means "honorable reparation." It refers to a formal apology or reparation made for an offense or injury, usually in a public and humiliating manner, in order to restore the victim's honor.

Example: One example of amende honorable is walking into a church with a rope around the neck and a torch in hand, begging forgiveness from the injured party. This act is meant to publicly acknowledge the wrongdoing and show remorse for the offense committed.

Another example could be a public statement or press conference where the offender apologizes and takes responsibility for their actions, acknowledging the harm caused and expressing a commitment to making things right.

These examples illustrate the concept of amende honorable, which involves making a public and often humiliating apology or reparation in order to restore the honor of the victim and make amends for the offense committed.