NOBLE


Meaning of NOBLE in English

I. ˈnōbəl adjective

( nobler -b(ə)lə(r) ; noblest -b(ə)lə̇st)

Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin nobilis knowable, known, well known, famous, noble, from Old Latin gnobilis; akin to Latin noscere (Old Latin gnoscere ) to come to know — more at know

1.

a. of a person : possessing outstanding qualities (as of eminence, dignity) : illustrious

b. of a deed : famous , notable

2. : having the power of transmitting by inheritance some recognized preeminence founded on hereditary succession : of high birth or exalted rank : of, belonging to, or constituting the nobility : highborn , aristocratic

my sire is of a noble line — S.T.Coleridge

3.

a. : possessing very high or excellent qualities or properties : belonging to a kind that is considered exceptionally fine

noble wines

b. : very good or excellent : superior of its kind

inherited a noble estate

4. : outstanding or impressive especially by reason of grandeur, largeness, magnificence

a noble cathedral

these noble edifices

5. : possessing, characterized by, arising from, or indicating superiority or commanding excellence of mind or character, or high ideals or morals : lofty

a man of noble nature

6. : resisting chemical action : chemically inert or inactive especially toward oxygen : relatively stable

a noble metal

a noble gas

noble patina

Synonyms: see grand , moral

II. noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English, partly from noble, adjective, and partly from Middle French noble, from noble, adjective

1. : a person of noble rank or birth : a member of the nobility : nobleman , peer

2.

a.

(1) : an old English gold coin first issued by Edward III as equivalent to 6 s 8 d and originally weighing a little over 138 grains but reduced to 128, then to 120 grains, and then debased by Henry IV to 108 grains — see ryal

(2) : a corresponding unit of value

half- noble and quarter- noble coins were issued

b.

(1) : a Scottish gold coin similar to the English noble (as one issued by David II another by James VI)

(2) : a silver coin, the half-mark piece of James VI, worth 6 s 8 d

3. slang : a captain of strikebreakers or an overseer in charge of strikebreaking operations

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.