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