A high social class that usually has special titles, privileges, and inherited status, like dukes, counts, and lords. It can also mean having high moral qualities, such as honesty, courage, and generosity.
From Old French 'noblete', from Latin 'nobilitas' meaning 'fame, high rank', from 'nobilis' meaning 'well-known, notable'. Originally it referred to being known or recognized by many.
The same word 'nobility' covers both birth status and moral goodness, as if being born high should mean acting high‑minded. Modern stories often play with this tension—showing low‑born characters with true nobility and nobles who lack it.
Historically, ‘nobility’ referred to hereditary aristocratic classes, with titles and property passing largely through male lines and women’s status often defined by marriage. The term also came to connote moral ‘noble’ traits, which were often coded differently for men and women.
When using ‘nobility’ metaphorically, avoid implying that moral worth is tied to class, lineage, or traditional gendered virtues.
["aristocracy","upper class","moral integrity","honor"]
Women of noble birth sometimes exercised significant political and cultural influence, though their roles have been downplayed in official histories focused on male titleholders.
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