Difference between revisions of "Noble (meanings)"
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*The original [[etymological root|root]] is the [[Latin]] ''nobilis'' (also both [[adjective]] and [[noun]]), from ''noscere'' (earlier ''gnoscere'', [[cognate]] with '''k'''now) 'to know': it means 'well known', 'famous'. In the military world of Rome, this was primarily a matter of success in the field (of battle): 'heroic', 'renowned [for feats of arms]'. | *The original [[etymological root|root]] is the [[Latin]] ''nobilis'' (also both [[adjective]] and [[noun]]), from ''noscere'' (earlier ''gnoscere'', [[cognate]] with '''k'''now) 'to know': it means 'well known', 'famous'. In the military world of Rome, this was primarily a matter of success in the field (of battle): 'heroic', 'renowned [for feats of arms]'. | ||
*It then became a matter more of rank, particularly as conferred by the monarch and most commonly earned by birth, or inheritance from one who had earned it by virtue of military exploits. In the [[UK]], the ranks of the nobility (the peers entitled to sit in the House of Lords) are Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount and Baron; minor nobility include Baronets and Knights (both addressed as 'Sir [+ [[forename]])), and gentlemen (those entitled to bear [[arms]], and in Scotland Lairds. The female equivalents of these titles are Duchess, Marchioness, Countess, Viscountess and Baroness; the equivalent of knight and baronet is entitled 'Dame [+ name]'. All these are addressed as 'Lady'. | *It then became a matter more of rank, particularly as conferred by the monarch and most commonly earned by birth, or inheritance from one who had earned it by virtue of military exploits. In the [[UK]], the ranks of the nobility (the peers entitled to sit in the House of Lords) are Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount and Baron; minor nobility include Baronets and Knights (both addressed as 'Sir [+ [[forename]])), and gentlemen (those entitled to bear [[arms]], and in Scotland Lairds. The female equivalents of these titles are Duchess, Marchioness, Countess, Viscountess and Baroness; the equivalent of knight and baronet is entitled 'Dame [+ name]'. All these are addressed as 'Lady'. | ||
| − | *More recently (since the Middle Ages), the [[adjective]] '''noble''' has come to signify the qualities ideally to be found among the '''nobility''': in early times the military prowess (and success) for which knights were granted lands and concomitant titles, and later 'showing the best qualities', 'having splendour', 'making a fine show'. For some, it has been limited to the ideas of 'well born'. The | + | *More recently (since the Middle Ages), the [[adjective]] '''noble''' has come to signify the qualities ideally to be found among the '''nobility''': in early times the military prowess (and success) for which knights were granted lands and concomitant titles, and later 'showing the best qualities', 'having splendour', 'making a fine show'. For some, it has been limited to the ideas of 'well born'. The predominant sense now is some form of 'having the best [most virtuous] qualities', 'of high standards of morals and behaviour'. |
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[[Noble (coin)]] | [[Noble (coin)]] | ||
Revision as of 11:59, 9 August 2013
The word noble, which is common both as an adjective and as a noun, has several degrees and shades of meaning, some depending on delicate social judgement. There are also several specialized meanings in various academic subjects.
- The original root is the Latin nobilis (also both adjective and noun), from noscere (earlier gnoscere, cognate with know) 'to know': it means 'well known', 'famous'. In the military world of Rome, this was primarily a matter of success in the field (of battle): 'heroic', 'renowned [for feats of arms]'.
- It then became a matter more of rank, particularly as conferred by the monarch and most commonly earned by birth, or inheritance from one who had earned it by virtue of military exploits. In the UK, the ranks of the nobility (the peers entitled to sit in the House of Lords) are Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount and Baron; minor nobility include Baronets and Knights (both addressed as 'Sir [+ forename)), and gentlemen (those entitled to bear arms, and in Scotland Lairds. The female equivalents of these titles are Duchess, Marchioness, Countess, Viscountess and Baroness; the equivalent of knight and baronet is entitled 'Dame [+ name]'. All these are addressed as 'Lady'.
- More recently (since the Middle Ages), the adjective noble has come to signify the qualities ideally to be found among the nobility: in early times the military prowess (and success) for which knights were granted lands and concomitant titles, and later 'showing the best qualities', 'having splendour', 'making a fine show'. For some, it has been limited to the ideas of 'well born'. The predominant sense now is some form of 'having the best [most virtuous] qualities', 'of high standards of morals and behaviour'.
noble gas
noble metal
noble art
(of a part of the body) important, essential to life (c1250 in a British source),
nobility
noblesse oblige de l'epée de la robe
noble savage
noble rot
