| 释义 |
noble
I. \ˈnōbəl\ adjective
(nobler \-b(ə)lə(r)\ ; noblest \-b(ə)lə̇st\)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin nobilis knowable, known, well known, famous, noble, from Old Latin gnobilis; akin to Latin noscere (Old Latin gnoscere) to come to know — more at know
1.
a. of a person : possessing outstanding qualities (as of eminence, dignity) : illustrious
b. of a deed : famous, notable
2. : having the power of transmitting by inheritance some recognized preeminence founded on hereditary succession : of high birth or exalted rank : of, belonging to, or constituting the nobility : highborn, aristocratic
< my sire is of a noble line — S.T.Coleridge >
3.
a. : possessing very high or excellent qualities or properties : belonging to a kind that is considered exceptionally fine
< noble wines >
b. : very good or excellent : superior of its kind
< inherited a noble estate >
4. : outstanding or impressive especially by reason of grandeur, largeness, magnificence
< a noble cathedral >
< these noble edifices >
5. : possessing, characterized by, arising from, or indicating superiority or commanding excellence of mind or character, or high ideals or morals : lofty
< a man of noble nature >
6. : resisting chemical action : chemically inert or inactive especially toward oxygen : relatively stable
< a noble metal >
< a noble gas >
< noble patina >
Synonyms: see grand, moral
II. noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English, partly from noble, adjective, and partly from Middle French noble, from noble, adjective
1. : a person of noble rank or birth : a member of the nobility : nobleman, peer
2.
a.
(1) : an old English gold coin first issued by Edward III as equivalent to 6s 8d and originally weighing a little over 138 grains but reduced to 128, then to 120 grains, and then debased by Henry IV to 108 grains — see ryal
(2) : a corresponding unit of value
< half-noble and quarter-noble coins were issued >
b.
(1) : a Scottish gold coin similar to the English noble (as one issued by David II another by James VI)
(2) : a silver coin, the half-mark piece of James VI, worth 6s 8d
3. slang : a captain of strikebreakers or an overseer in charge of strikebreaking operations |