Honour half-cut Venetian judge (8)
I believe the answer is:
venerate
'honour' is the definition.
(I know this)
'half-cut venetian judge' is the wordplay.
'half cut' indicates taking half.
'judge' becomes 'rate' (rating is a kind of judging).
'venetian' cut in half is 'vene'.
'vene'+'rate'='VENERATE'
(Other definitions for venerate that I've seen before include "Treat with respect" , "Think a great deal of" , "Regard with deep respect or worship" , "Revere highly" , "Regard (something) with great respect" .)