ignoble Meaning, Definition & Usage

adjective completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose
- something cowardly and ignoble in his attitude
- I think it a less evil that some criminals should escape than that the government should play an ignoble part"- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
adjective satellite not of the nobility
ungentle; untitled.
- of ignoble (or ungentle) birth
- untitled civilians

L. ignobilis; pref. in- not + nobilis noble: cf. F. ignoble. See In- not, and Noble, a.

Of low birth or family; not noble; not illustrious; plebeian; common; humble.
I was not ignoble of descent. Shak.

Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants. Shak.
Not honorable, elevated, or generous; base.
'T but a base, ignoble mind, That mounts no higher than a bird can soar. Shak.

Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife. Gray.
(Zoöl.) Not a true or noble falcon; -- said of certain hawks, as the goshawk. Syn. -- Degenerate; degraded; mean; base; dishonorable; reproachful; disgraceful; shameful; scandalous; infamous.