Nobility

Origins

Anglo-Norman and Middle French nobilité valour, merit, renown (mid 11th cent. in Old French as nobilitet), nobility of birth (mid 15th cent.), nobles, aristocracy (early 16th cent.; in Anglo-Norman also in sense ‘great deed’) or their etymon classical Latin nobilitas renown, distinction, noble birth, nobles, aristocracy, loftiness of character < nobilis NOBLE adj. + -tas (see -TY suffix1; compare -ITY suffix). Compare Italian nobilità peerage, aristocracy (early 14th cent. in Dante; a1250 in sense ‘excellence, superiority’)

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Definitions

• I. The quality of nobleness.

1. The quality of being noble in respect of appearance; magnificence, stateliness; impressiveness of proportions or dimensions. rare before 19th cent.

2. The quality of having high status or value; renown or distinction arising from excellence. Chiefly with reference to things. Obs.

3. The quality, state, or condition of being noble in rank or title, or noble by birth. Also in extended use.

4. The quality of being noble in character; esp. the quality of having high moral principles or ideals; loftiness of character. Also in extended use.

5. Chem. The property of an element of being noble or relatively unreactive. Cf. NOBLE adj. 7b. Now rare.

• II. A person who or thing which is noble.

6. In pl. Instances of nobleness of nature or character; high or excellent qualities or attributes. rare before 19th cent.

7. a. The group of people forming the noble class in a country or state; a noble class, an aristocracy.

b. Without article: members of a noble class; nobles collectively.

c. Chess. The pieces other than pawns. Obs. rare.

d. A member of a noble class, a peer. Freq. in pl. Now rare.