1. legion of honour an order of merit instituted on republican principles on May 10, 1802, by Bonaparte when FirstConsul in recompense of civil and militaryservices to the country; it originally consisted of four classes, but now comprehends five: grand crosses, grand officers, commanders, officers, and chevaliers, each, of military or naval men, with pensions on a descending scale and all for life; their badge, a white star of five rays, bearing on the obverse an image of the republic and on the reverse two tricolor flags.
Definitions of legion of honour
