What does noblesse oblige mean?
Definitions for noblesse oblige
noʊˈblɛs oʊˈbliʒno·blesse oblige
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word noblesse oblige.
Princeton's WordNet
noblesse obligenoun
the obligation of those of high rank to be honorable and generous (often used ironically)
Wiktionary
noblesse obligenoun
The honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank; in American English this often includes the expectation of benevolent actions such as helping those less fortunate.
Wikipedia
Noblesse oblige
Noblesse oblige (; French: [nɔblɛs ɔbliʒ]; literally “nobility obliges”) is a French expression from a time when French (more specifically, Anglo-Norman) was the language of the English nobility, and retains in English the meaning that nobility extends beyond mere entitlement, requiring people who hold such status to fulfill social responsibilities. For example, a primary obligation of a nobleman could include generosity towards those around him. As those who lived on the nobles' land had obligations to the nobility, the nobility had obligations to their people, including protection at the least.
Wikidata
Noblesse oblige
Noblesse oblige is a French phrase literally meaning "nobility obliges". The Dictionnaire de l’Académie française defines it thus: ⁕Whoever claims to be noble must conduct himself nobly. ⁕ One must act in a fashion that conforms to one's position, and with the reputation that one has earned. The Oxford English Dictionary says that the term "suggests noble ancestry constrains to honorable behavior; privilege entails to responsibility." Being a noble meant that one had responsibilities to lead, manage and so on. One was not to simply spend one's time in idle pursuits.
Military Dictionary and Gazetteer
noblesse oblige
A French phrase,—rank has its obligations.
Suggested Resources
noblesse oblige
Read the full text of the Noblesse Oblige poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox on the Poetry.com website.
Matched Categories
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of noblesse oblige in Chaldean Numerology is: 9
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of noblesse oblige in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6
Translations for noblesse oblige
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- noblesse obligeCzech
- noblesse forpligteDanish
- Adel verpflichtetGerman
- επιβάλλεται ευγένειαGreek
- la nobleza obligaSpanish
- aateluus velvoittaaFinnish
- noblesse obligeFrench
- परोक्ष नवाबHindi
- Noblesse menurutIndonesian
- noblesse obligeItalian
- נובלס מחייבתHebrew
- noblesse obligeJapanese
- 노블레스 오블리주Korean
- noblesse obligeLatin
- noblesse verplichtDutch
- благородное обязательствоRussian
- noblesse forpliktarSwedish
- 贵族义务Chinese
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"noblesse oblige." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 5 May 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/noblesse+oblige>.
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