[syn: baronial, imposing, noble, stately]
2. of or belonging to or constituting the hereditary aristocracy especially as derived from feudal times;
- Example: "of noble birth"
3. having or showing or indicative of high or elevated character;
- Example: "a noble spirit"
- Example: "noble deeds"
4. inert especially toward oxygen;
- Example: "a noble gas such as helium or neon"
- Example: "noble metals include gold and silver and platinum"
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
[1913 Webster]
Statues, with winding ivy crowned, belong
To nobler poets for a nobler song. --Dryden.
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2. Grand; stately; magnificent; splendid; as, a noble
edifice.
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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.
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Note: Noble is used in the formation of self-explaining
compounds; as, noble-born, noble-hearted, noble-minded.
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Noble gas (Chem.), a gaseous element belonging to group
VIII of the periodic table of elements, not combining with
other elements under normal reaction conditions;
specifically, helium, neon, argon, krypton,
xenon, or radon; also called inert gas.
Noble metals (Chem.), silver, gold, and platinum; -- so
called from their resistance to oxidation by air and to
dissolution by acids. Copper, mercury, aluminium,
palladium, rhodium, iridium, and osmium are sometimes
included.
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Syn: Honorable; worthy; dignified; elevated; exalted;
superior; sublime; great; eminent; illustrious;
renowned; stately; splendid; magnificent; grand;
magnanimous; generous; liberal; free.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Noble \No"ble\, n.
1. A person of rank above a commoner; a nobleman; a peer.
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2. An English money of account, and, formerly, a gold coin,
of the value of 6 s. 8 d. sterling, or about $1.61 (in
1913).
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3. (Zool.) A European fish; the lyrie.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Noble \No"ble\, v. t.
To make noble; to ennoble. [Obs.]
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Thou nobledest so far forth our nature. --Chaucer.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Lyrie \Ly"rie\ (l[imac]"r[i^]), n. [Icel. hl[=y]ri a sort of
fish.] (Zool.)
A European fish (Peristethus cataphractum), having the body
covered with bony plates, and having three spines projecting
in front of the nose; -- called also noble, pluck,
pogge, sea poacher, and armed bullhead.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
noble
adj 1: impressive in appearance; "a baronial mansion"; "an
imposing residence"; "a noble tree"; "severe-looking
policemen sat astride noble horses"; "stately columns"
[syn: baronial, imposing, noble, stately]
2: of or belonging to or constituting the hereditary aristocracy
especially as derived from feudal times; "of noble birth"
[ant: lowborn]
3: having or showing or indicative of high or elevated
character; "a noble spirit"; "noble deeds" [ant: ignoble]
4: inert especially toward oxygen; "a noble gas such as helium
or neon"; "noble metals include gold and silver and platinum"
n 1: a titled peer of the realm [syn: Lord, noble,
nobleman] [ant: Lady, noblewoman, peeress]