noblesse
3
9.9
- noun
- /noʊˈblɛs/
- Formal
:
nobleza
- FDR came to office with a hefty degree of noblesse oblige, which served the country well.
- noblesse oblige
- sense of noblesse
- attitude of noblesse
Examples
-
Noblesse oblige isn't dead.
-
There is at least one good aspect to noblesse oblige, however.
Academic text (2000) -
Like I said, noblesse oblige.
-
"Have we got to pretend out of noblesse oblige that age is nothing, in order to encourage the others?
Academic text (2004) -
There is no suggestion that they did so from a sense of noblesse oblige.
Academic text (1995) -
In whatever case, channels must be opened between the two countries, and the noblesse oblige of Americans put to the test.
Academic text (1995) -
Children took lordship so seriously, naturally believing in noblesse oblige.
Fiction book (2000) -
The point is that if we expect to have flourishing communities, we must have at minimum a sense of noblesse oblige for the poor and vulnerable.
Academic text (2001) -
Thus, the Free and Established churches have supported the hierarchy and the attitude that expects noblesse oblige, the obligation of landlords to deal honorably and fairly with their tenants.
Academic text (1991) -
The concept of noblesse emphasizes the responsibility that come with privilege and wealth.
Synonyms
24
7.2
A small group of rich, powerful families who inherit titles and wealth
7
5.9
Being born into a family with high social rank
5
6.8
A small group of the richest and most important people in society
1
9.9
A privileged group with social and political power
Being a member of a noble family with high social rank
A group of noble lords in a kingdom
Compounds
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word noblesse comes from French and is related to the English word noble, from Latin nobilis meaning 'well-known' or 'high-born'. So noblesse means the state or group of people who are high-born, the aristocracy.