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noble

adjective

, no·bler, no·blest.

  1. distinguished by rank or title.
  2. pertaining to persons so distinguished.
  3. of, belonging to, or constituting a hereditary class that has special social or political status in a country or state; of or pertaining to the aristocracy.
    Synonyms: blue-blooded, patrician, aristocratic, highborn
    Antonyms: working-class, middle-class, lower-class, common, lowborn, baseborn, bourgeois
  4. of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence:
    a noble thought.
    Synonyms: worthy, estimable, honorable, magnanimous, principled, high-minded, elevated, lofty, meritorious
    Antonyms: common, vulgar, base, ignoble
  5. admirable in dignity of conception, manner of expression, execution, or composition:
    a noble poem.
    Synonyms: august, dignified, grand
    Antonyms: unrespected, undignified, disreputable
  6. very impressive or imposing in appearance:
    a noble monument.
    Synonyms: imperial, regal, impressive, splendid, imposing, magnificent, stately, grand, majestic, lordly
    Antonyms: ordinary, plain, modest, paltry, mean, insignificant
  7. of an admirably high quality; notably superior; excellent
    Synonyms: exceptional, exemplary, outstanding, notable, noteworthy
    Antonyms: unexceptional, ordinary, inferior
  8. Synonyms: distinguished, celebrated, famed
    Antonyms: obscure, unknown, remarkable
  9. Chemistry. inert; chemically inactive.
  10. Falconry. (of a hawk) having excellent qualities or abilities.

noun

  1. Synonyms: patrician, blue blood, aristocrat, peer
    Antonyms: peasant, serf, commoner
  2. a former gold coin of England, first issued in 1346 by Edward III, equal to half a mark or 6s. 8d., replaced in 1464 under Edward IV by the rose noble.

/ ˈnəʊbəl /

adjective

  1. of or relating to a hereditary class with special social or political status, often derived from a feudal period
  2. of or characterized by high moral qualities; magnanimous
    a noble deed
  3. having dignity or eminence; illustrious
  4. grand or imposing; magnificent
    a noble avenue of trees
  5. of superior quality or kind; excellent
    a noble strain of horses
    1. (of certain elements) chemically unreactive
    2. (of certain metals, esp copper, silver, and gold) resisting oxidation
    1. designating long-winged falcons that capture their quarry by stooping on it from above
      Compare ignoble
    2. designating the type of quarry appropriate to a particular species of falcon

noun

  1. a person belonging to a privileged social or political class whose status is usually indicated by a title conferred by sovereign authority or descent
  2. (in the British Isles) a person holding the title of duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron, or a feminine equivalent
  3. a former Brit gold coin having the value of one third of a pound

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Derived Forms

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Word History and Origins

Origin of noble1

First recorded in

1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin (g)nōbilis “notable, of high rank,” equivalent to (g)nō-, root of (g)nōscere “to get to know, find out” + -bilis adjective suffix; know 1,

-ble

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Word History and Origins

Origin of noble1

C13: via Old French from Latin nōbilis, originally, capable of being known, hence well-known, noble, from noscere to know

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Synonym Study

Noble,

high-minded,

magnanimous

agree in referring to lofty principles and loftiness of mind or spirit.

Noble

implies a loftiness of character or spirit that scorns the petty, mean, base, or dishonorable:

a noble deed.

High-minded

implies having elevated principles and consistently adhering to them:

a high-minded pursuit of legal reforms.

Magnanimous

suggests greatness of mind or soul, especially as manifested in generosity or in overlooking injuries:

magnanimous toward his former enemies.

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Example Sentences

The earliest on the program, “Jefferson and Liberty” from 1800, included the verse: “Here strangers from thousand shores/Compell’d by tyranny to roam;/Shall find, amidst abundant stores,/A nobler and a happier home.”

Yet as Vi and the audience quickly sees, Caitlyn’s cause is not noble.

What does Cohn get in return for his noble efforts?

He also characterized the antebellum North as “the mere cringing vassal of the South” and a section of the country that contained “lords” and “nobles” of its own that comprised an “aristocracy of the skin.”

Her indomitable will to stay in the game was her noble strength — and perhaps also her personal flaw.