noble

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Having or showing high moral qualities such as honesty, courage, and generosity.

   Helping the refugees was a noble thing to do.

2. 2
   adj

   Belonging to the highest social class, often with an inherited title.

   She came from a noble family of ancient origin.

3. 3
   noun

   A person of high social rank, especially one with an inherited title.

   The nobles gathered at the king's court.

4. 4
   adj

   Grand and impressive in appearance.

   They admired the noble old building in the town square.

From Middle English noble, from Old French noble, borrowed from Latin nōbilis (“knowable, known, well-known, famous, celebrated, high-born, of noble birth, excellent”), from nōscere, gnōscere (“to know”). False cognate of Arabic نبيل (nabīl). Displaced native Middle English athel, from Old English æþele.

Topics