Definition of nobility

< nobiliary particle

noble >

no·bil·i·ty    (n-bl-t) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. no·bil·i·ties

1. A class of persons distinguished by high birth or rank and in Great Britain including dukes and duchesses, marquises and marchionesses, earls and countesses, viscounts and viscountesses, and barons and baronesses: "The old English nobility of office made way for the Norman nobility of faith and landed wealth" (Winston S. Churchill).
2. Noble rank or status: Congress may not grant titles of nobility.
3. The state or quality of being exalted in character.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English nobilite, the quality of being noble, from Old French, from Latin nbilits, from nbilis, noble ; see noble