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nobility

nobility

15 6.2
People who have inherited titles and special rights
  • noun
  • /noʊˈbɪləti/
translation icon : aristocracia
  • The grand ball was attended by members of the nobility, showcasing their lavish lifestyles and social status.
  • crown and nobility
  • high nobility
  • monarchy and nobility

He encouraged the lower nobility to create local parliaments.

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Examples

  • The crown's patronage was especially attractive in this period, as the lower nobility was beset by growing economic problems.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In England there are several titles for the nobility - lords, dukes, earls...

  • In times like these, the nobility must stick together.

  • Now it is only the nobility who can enjoy profit and wealth.

  • As a consequence, the crown had a significant following among the higher nobility there.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Despite the strengthening of the crown, the high nobility was given a dominating position in the noble council.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The elite in Europe had a low opinion of Italy's urban nobility and their rich and powerful city-states.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Among the rulers and nobility of the Inca Empire, polygamy was the typical form of marriage.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Families were broadly ranked in society: royalty, several levels of nobility, gentry, yeomen, and still lower orders.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Throughout history, the nobility has played a significant role in shaping political and social hierarchies.

Synonyms

aristocracy
vsnobility
24 7.2

A small group of rich, powerful families who inherit titles and wealth

is the class of people holding hereditary titles and specific privileges
upper class
vsnobility
15 3.4

A social group with the most money and power

is specifically about hereditary titleholders rather than general wealth or power
upper crust
vsnobility
  • Informal
5 6.8

A small group of the richest and most important people in society

is about inherited titled families rather than simply wealth or social clout
peerage
vsnobility
  • UK
3 8.9

A group of people with noble titles in the United Kingdom

is the broader hereditary class across society not only an official body
noblesse
vsnobility
  • Formal
3 9.9

A class of people born into high social position who have special rights

is focused on the hereditary titled group and their legal privileges
baronage
vsnobility
  • Formal
9.9

A group of noble lords in a kingdom

is the general hereditary class rather than a specific titled subgroup

Antonyms

31 4.2

A person without a noble title who is an ordinary member of society

1 7.7

A person from the ordinary people with no special title

How Elite

aristocracy
24 7.2
nobility
15 6.2
gentry
14 8.4
middle class
516 2.0
commons
18 6.0
peasant
157 3.5

Surface Forms

nobility singular
nobilities plural

Morphology

nobility = noble (transparent) = noble + ity

The suffix '-ity' is a standard noun-forming suffix indicating a state or quality, directly derived from 'noble'.

Etymology

Nobility comes from the old Latin word nobilis, 'well-known' or 'famous', and this name was used for the group of noble people who held titles and special rights. That's why nobility also means the social class of titled, high-ranking people.