But François Hollande, the Socialist party leader, called the outcome "an honorable defeat" and said the Socialists had "the heart and the will" to rebuild their party.

"I said I would rather go down in honorable defeat."

"I believe Serbs are entitled to their sense of an honorable defeat," Mr. Cosic said, but they will also feel that their ideology contains "a certain anachronism."

Even a single machine gun, operated by an officer could have saved the situation, or at least would have assured the honorable defeat of the regiment.

To a lesser, much sadder extent, Rupert is the victim of an honorable defeat.

Better an honorable defeat than a dishonorable victory, Kahless had said.

Congress went down to defeat in Washington Thursday, but it was an honorable defeat.

That at least was honorable defeat.

In a way, the human had won, for as Kahless said, "Better an honorable defeat than a dishonorable victory."

There was no such thing as an honorable defeat.