E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Amende honorable,
in France, was a degrading punishment inflicted on traitors, parricides, and sacrilegious persons, who were brought into court with a rope round their neck, and made to beg pardon of God, the king, and the court.
1
Now the public acknowledgment of the offence is all that is required.
