Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - noble

 I. adjective  (~r; ~st)  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin nobilis well-known, ~, from noscere to come to know — more at know  Date: 13th century  1.  a. possessing outstanding qualities ; illustrious  b. famous, notable ~ deeds  2. of high birth or exalted rank ; aristocratic  3.  a. possessing very high or excellent qualities or properties ~ wine  b. very good or excellent  4. grand or impressive especially in appearance ~ edifice  5. possessing, characterized by, or arising from superiority of mind or character or of ideals or morals ; lofty a ~ ambition  6. chemically inert or inactive especially toward oxygen a ~ metal such as platinum — compare base 6a  Synonyms: see moral  • ~ness noun  • nobly adverb  II. noun  Date: 14th century  1. a person of ~ rank or birth  2. an old English gold coin equivalent to 6s 8d