Nobility

Nobility

Noun · /nəʊˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

Definition

The quality of being noble in character or ideals; moral greatness; (collective noun) the noble class — the hereditary aristocracy of a country; the rank or status of a noble; excellence and grandeur of character or quality.

Origin

From Old French nobilite and Latin nobilitas (fame, renown, noble birth, the nobility as a class), from nobilis (well-known, notable, of noble birth), from gnoscere/noscere (to come to know, be known), from Proto-Indo-European *gneh₃- (to know). The same root as know, knowledge, cognition, recognise, and the noble- family. The nobility therefore being, etymologically, the well-known ones — those whose fame and reputation distinguished them from the anonymous common people.