NOBLE

noble. Noble, a. great, illustrious, grand, brave, generous

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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. 1. Possessing eminence, elevation, dignity, etc.; above whatever is low, mean, degrading, or dishonorable; magnanimous; as, a noble nature or action; a noble heart.
Statues, with winding ivy crowned, belong To nobler poets for a nobler song. Dryden. 2. 2. Grand; stately; magnificent; splendid; as, a noble edifice.
3. 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.
☞ Noble is used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, noble-born, noble-hearted, noble-minded. Noble metals (Chem.), silver, gold, and platinum; — so called from their freedom from oxidation and permanence in air. Copper, mercury, aluminium, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and osmium are sometimes included. Syn. — Honorable; worthy; dignified; elevated; exalted; superior; sublime; great; eminent; illustrious; renowned; stately; splendid; magnificent; grand; magnanimous; generous; liberal; free.