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—nobleness, n./noh"beuhl/, adj., nobler, noblest, n.adj.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.4. of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence; lofty: a noble thought.5. admirable in dignity of conception, manner of expression, execution, or composition: a noble poem.6. very impressive or imposing in appearance; stately; magnificent: a noble monument.7. of an admirably high quality; notably superior; excellent.8. famous; illustrious; renowned.9. Chem. inert; chemically inactive.10. Falconry. (of a hawk) having excellent qualities or abilities.n.11. a person of noble birth or rank; nobleman or noblewoman.12. 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.13. (in Britain) a peer.[1175-1225; ME < OF < L (g)nobilis notable, of high rank, equiv. to (g)no-, base of (g)noscere to get to know, find out (see KNOW1) + -bilis -BLE]Syn. 3. highborn, aristocratic. 4. honorable. 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, esp. as manifested in generosity or in overlooking injuries: magnanimous toward his former enemies. 6. grand, lordly, splendid. 11. peer, aristocrat.Ant. 3. lowborn, base.
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(as used in expressions)Garter The Most Noble Order of the* * *
Universalium. 2010.
