/ ˈnəʊbl; NAmE ˈnoʊbl/ adjective , noun
■ adjective ( no·bler / ˈnəʊblə(r); NAmE ˈnoʊ-/ nob·lest / ˈnəʊblɪst; NAmE ˈnoʊ-/)
1.
having fine personal qualities that people admire, such as courage, honesty and care for others :
a noble leader
noble ideals
He died for a noble cause.
—compare ignoble
2.
very impressive in size or quality
SYN splendid :
a noble building
3.
belonging to a family of high social rank (= belonging to the nobility )
SYN aristocratic :
a man of noble birth
► nobly / ˈnəʊbli; NAmE ˈnoʊbli/ adverb :
She bore the disappointment nobly.
to be nobly born
■ noun
a person who comes from a family of high social rank; a member of the nobility
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French , from Latin (g)nobilis noted, high-born, from an Indo-European root shared by know .