no·ble
(n
b
l)
KEY
ADJECTIVE:
no·bler
,
no·blest
- Possessing hereditary rank in a political system or social class derived from a feudalistic stage of a country's development.
-
- Having or showing qualities of high moral character, such as courage, generosity, or honor:
a noble spirit.
- Proceeding from or indicative of such a character; showing magnanimity:
"What poor an instrument/May do a noble deed!"
(Shakespeare).
- Grand and stately in appearance; majestic:
"a mighty Spanish chestnut, bare now of leaves, but in summer a noble tree"
(Richard Jeffries).
-
Chemistry
Inactive or inert.
NOUN:
- A member of the nobility.
- A gold coin formerly used in England, worth half of a mark.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin
nbilis; see
gn- in Indo-European roots
OTHER FORMS:
noble·ness
(Noun),
nobly
(Adverb)
