nobility

[ noh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

, plural no·bil·i·ties.

1. the noble class or the body of nobles in a country.
2. (in Britain) the peerage.
3. the state or quality of being noble.
4. nobleness of mind, character, or spirit; exalted moral excellence.
5. grandeur or magnificence.
6. noble birth or rank.

nobility

/ nəʊˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. a socially or politically privileged class whose titles are conferred by descent or by royal decree
2. the state or quality of being morally or spiritually good; dignity

   the nobility of his mind

3. (in the British Isles) the class of people holding the titles of dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, or barons and their feminine equivalents collectively; peerage

Other Words From

• nonno·bili·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nobility¹

1350–1400; Middle English nobilite < Latin nōbilitās. See noble, -ity

Example Sentences

To presume otherwise would be to pretend that, in the glow of victory, the petty tyrants of Trumpworld are summoning a nobility of spirit that, as far as I can tell, they haven’t manifested once in the past decade.

From Slate

After all that, “The West Wing’s” nobility of purpose is enough to make one weep.

From Los Angeles Times

By contrast, the American republic was founded on an explicit rejection of monarchy and nobility, which the framers viewed as inimical to principles of equality and equal justice under the law.

From Slate

Although a middle class already existed throughout most of Europe by that time, in the form of urban bourgeoisie or yeoman-farmers or some other grouping, the concept gained special significance in a new country whose Constitution eliminated the aristocratic privileges enjoyed by European nobility.

From Salon

The Holy Roman Empire had seven electors: Three were members of the Catholic Church and four were significant members of the nobility.

From Salon

Related Words

• dignity
• generosity
• grandeur
• greatness
• integrity
• superiority
• upper class
• virtue