[no.ble] adj no.bler ; no.blest [ME, fr. OF, fr. L nobilis well-known, noble, fr. noscere to come to know--more at know] (13c) 1 a: possessing outstanding qualities: illustrious b: famous, notable "~ deeds"
2: of high birth or exalted rank: aristocratic 3 a: possessing very high or excellent qualities or properties "~ wine" b: very good or excellent
4: grand or impressive esp. in appearance "~ edifice"
5: possessing, characterized by, or arising from superiority of mind or character or of ideals or morals: lofty "a ~ ambition"
6: chemically inert or inactive esp. toward oxygen "a ~ metal such as platinum"--compare base 6a syn see moral -- no.ble.ness n -- no.bly adv
[2]noble n (14c) 1: a person of noble rank or birth
2: an old English gold coin equivalent to 6s 8d