noble Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a titled peer of the realm
    nobleman; Lord.
  2. adjective satellite impressive in appearance
    imposing; baronial; stately.
    • a baronial mansion
    • an imposing residence
    • a noble tree
    • severe-looking policemen sat astride noble horses
    • stately columns
  3. adjective of or belonging to or constituting the hereditary aristocracy especially as derived from feudal times
    • of noble birth
  4. adjective having or showing or indicative of high or elevated character
    • a noble spirit
    • noble deeds
  5. adjective satellite inert especially toward oxygen
    • a noble gas such as helium or neon
    • noble metals include gold and silver and platinum

WordNet


No"ble adjective
Etymology
F. noble, fr. L. nobilis that can be or is known, well known, famous, highborn, noble, fr.noscere to know. See know.
Wordforms
comparative Nobler ; superlative Noblest
Definitions
  1. Possessing eminence, elevation, dignity, etc.; above whatever is low, mean, degrading, or dishonorable; magnanimous; as, a noble nature or action; a noble heart.
    Statues, with winding ivy crowned, belong To nobler poets for a nobler song. Dryden.
  2. Grand; stately; magnificent; splendid; as, a noble edifice.
  3. Of exalted rank; of or pertaining to the nobility; distinguished from the masses by birth, station, or title; highborn; as, noble blood; a noble personage. Noble is used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, noble-born, noble-hearted, noble-minded. Syn. -- Honorable; worthy; dignified; elevated; exalted; superior; sublime; great; eminent; illustrious; renowned; stately; splendid; magnificent; grand; magnanimous; generous; liberal; free.
No"ble noun
Definitions
  1. A person of rank above a commoner; a nobleman; a peer.
  2. An English money of account, and, formerly, a gold coin, of the value of 6 s. 8 d. sterling, or about $1.61.
  3. (Zoöl.) A European fish; the lyrie.
No"ble transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make noble; to ennoble. Obs.
    Thou nobledest so far forth our nature. Chaucer.

Webster 1913