noble English · revision 6574

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1200|origins=la nosco}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈnəʊbəl/ ''(UK)''; /ˈnoʊbəl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|noble]], from [[la|nōbilis|t=well known, famous; high-born]], earlier gnōbilis, literally “knowable”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) related to [[m|la|nosco|alt=nōscere|t=to come to know]], from PIE [[ine-pro|*ǵneh₃-|alt=*gno-|t=to know]] (see [[know]]).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) The well-known Roman families provided most of the Republic's officials.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Illustrious or distinguished: probably before 1200, in the ''Ancrene Riwle'', in Barnhart, before 1225 in the OED;^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) of high rank or birth, about 1200 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Distinguished by splendour or magnificence is from the late 13th century,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) and worthy of honour or respect from probably before 1300, in ''Kyng Alisaunder''.^(Barnhart 1988) Having lofty character or high moral qualities is from about 1600.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The noun, a person of noble rank, is from about 1300,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and the noble was also an English gold coin first issued under Edward III.^(Etymonline) ''Noble metals'' were those that did not tarnish (late 14th century), and the ''noble gases'' (1902) are so called for their inertness.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The ''noble savage'' is from Dryden's ''Conquest of Granada'' (1672).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1200 – illustrious.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1300 – worthy of honour.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1300 – a nobleman.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1600 – morally lofty.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1672 – the noble savage.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1902 – noble gas.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Belonging to a high social class with hereditary titles; [[aristocratic]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Having or showing high moral qualities; [[magnanimous]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Impressive in appearance; [[grand]] or [[stately]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(chemistry)'' Of a metal or gas, chemically inactive.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A member of the [[nobility]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(historical)'' An English gold coin.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nobleness]]

+ * [[nobly]]

+ * [[nobleman]]

+ * [[ennoble]]

+ * [[nobility]]

+ * [[noble-minded]]

+ * [[noblewoman]]

+ * [[nonnoble]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[know]]

+ * [[notable]]

+ * [[ignoble]]

+ * [[noblesse]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}