Noble (meanings)

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.

OED classical Latin nōbilis (adjective) generally known, renowned, illustrious, well-born, heroic, majestic, grand, (noun) person of noble rank, in post-classical Latin also (adjective) valuable (c1125 of stone, c1235 of metal, both in British sources), (of a part of the body) important, essential to life (c1250 in a British source), (noun) gold coin (from c1339 in British sources) < nōscere , gnōscere to know