Dictionary Information: Definition Noble - Description Meaning Thesaurus

Noble (No"ble) (?), a.
[Compar. Nobler (?); superl. Noblest (?).]
[F. noble, fr. L. nobilis that can be or is known, well known, famous, highborn, noble, fr.noscere to know. See know.]

1. Possessing eminence, elevation, dignity, etc.; above whatever is low, mean, degrading, or dishonorable; magnanimous; as, a noble nature or action; a noble heart. "Statues, with winding ivy crowned, belong To nobler poets for a nobler song." Dryden.
2. Grand; stately; magnificent; splendid; as, a noble edifice.
3. Of exalted rank; of or pertaining to the nobility; distinguished from the masses by birth, station, or title; highborn; as, noble blood; a noble personage.
^ Noble is used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, noble-born, noble-hearted, noble-minded.

-- Noble metals (Chem.), silver, gold, and platinum; -- so called from their freedom from oxidation and permanence in air. Copper, mercury, aluminium, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and osmium are sometimes included.

Synonyms -- Honorable; worthy; dignified; elevated; exalted; superior; sublime; great; eminent; illustrious; renowned; stately; splendid; magnificent; grand; magnanimous; generous; liberal; free.

Noble (No"ble), n.

1. A person of rank above a commoner; a nobleman; a peer.
2. An English money of account, and, formerly, a gold coin, of the value of 6 s. 8 d. sterling, or about $1.61.
3. (Zoöl.) A European fish; the lyrie.

Noble (No"ble), v. t.

To make noble; to ennoble. [Obs.] "Thou nobledest so far forth our nature." Chaucer.