adj. & n.
--adj. (nobler, noblest)
1. belonging by rank, title, or birth to the aristocracy.
2 of excellent character; having lofty ideals; free from pettiness and meanness, magnanimous.
3 of imposing appearance, splendid, magnificent, stately.
4 excellent, admirable (noble horse; noble cellar).
--n.
1. a nobleman or noblewoman.
2 hist. a former English gold coin first issued in 1351.
Phrases and idioms:
noble gas any gaseous element of a group that almost never combine with other elements. noble metal a metal (e.g. gold, silver, or platinum) that resists chemical action, does not corrode or tarnish in air or water, and is not easily attacked by acids. noble savage primitive man idealized as in Romantic literature. the noble science boxing.
Derivatives:
nobleness n. nobly adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L (g)nobilis, rel. to KNOW