noble

Everyday

1. Good, brave and honest; acting in a way that shows a fine character: «a noble deed». tree →
2. Belonging to a high social rank, such as lords, dukes and princes. tree →
3. (noun) A person of high rank in old times; a lord or lady. tree →
4. Impressive and grand: «a noble horse». tree →
5. (science) Noble gases (helium, neon, argon…) hardly react with anything; noble metals like gold do not rust. tree →

In the lessons

In stories a noble knight helps the weak; nobles live in castles and serve the king. In religion lessons the Buddha's teachings are called the Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. In science «noble gas» is a special term. Phrases: «a noble cause», «noble family», «noble gas», «noble savage» (old, unfair idea).

Examples

• It was noble of you to share your lunch. tree →
• The nobles met at the king's castle. tree →
• She was born into a noble family. tree →
• Helping the poor is a noble cause. tree →
• Neon is a noble gas used in bright signs. tree →
• The knight did a noble thing and saved the village. tree →
• Buddhists follow the Four Noble Truths. tree →
• What a brave, noble man he was! tree →

Note

Comparison: nobler, noblest. Adverb: nobly. Noun: nobility (both the quality and the rank). The «noble» rank and the «noble» character are different senses; a noble by rank may not act nobly.

In Jewish tradition

Nobles are leaders or chiefs of the people, the heads of tribes. In Job, Psalms and Proverbs they are the high-born rulers and princes who govern, and whom kings bind or judge.

Interpretation. The "nobles of Israel" who saw God at Sinai are read by some commentators as the leaders, perhaps Nadab and Abihu with the elders, who beheld God and were not harmed. Proverbs says wisdom makes princes and nobles rule, which the tradition reads as meaning that true rulers should be guided by wisdom and justice.

Examples

• The well, which the princes digged, which the nobles of the people delved, with the sceptre, and with their staves. (Torah NUM.21.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• And upon the nobles of the children of Israel He laid not His hand; and they beheld God, and did eat and drink. (Torah EXO.24.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'? — (Writings JOB.34.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; (Writings PSA.149.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. (Writings PRO.8.16, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Comparison: nobler, noblest. Adverb: nobly. Noun: nobility (both the quality and the rank). The «noble» rank and the «noble» character are different senses; a noble by rank may not act nobly.