Nobility likewise means in Europe, a quality that dignifies, or renders a person noble: particularly that raises a person possessed of it above a peasant or a commoner. The quality or degree of a nobleman; also the whole body of noblemen separated from the commons.
Nobility also means name, reputation, renown. N. Bailey in his fourth edition of the New Universal Etymological Dictionary, has the following curious passages on this word:—
Nobility. The Italians thus satyrised nobility: the dukes and earls of Germany, (every son of a duke being a duke, and every daughter of a dutchess being a dutchess) the dons of Spain, the monsieurs of France, the bishops of Italy, (every city having a bishop) the nobility of Hungary, the lairds of Scotland, the knights of Naples, and the younger brethren of England, make all together a poor company. He then classes nobility under five specific heads, viz.
Divine Nobility, which is also called heavenly, or theological nobility, and relates to the supposed original of the soul.
Human or worldly Nobility, which regards blood, and a genealogy of many ancestors. This nobility is purely accidental, and depends upon the birth. This is called political or hereditary, and becomes the right of individuals, be their merit, virtue, or capacity what they may.
Moral Nobility, refers only to virtue, is purely personal, and depends on our own free will. It is also called philosophical; but is not hereditary, except by the influence of example, which render it the general inheritance of all good men.
Dative Nobility, is such as has been acquired by some merits, or deeds, and has been conferred by the prince, &c.
Native Nobility, is what passes from father to son, and makes the son noble, because his father was so. Of this species of nobility consists the British house of lords; to which occasional additions are made by purchased peerages. The justly celebrated Thomas Paine has characterised the futility of what is called nobility by a happy pun, calling them no-ability.
| NOBLES, | - | |
| NOBLEMEN, |
are the grandees of any kingdom or nation, by whatsoever title they are distinguished. Honorary distinctions have been very ancient. The Greeks distinguished their people into three ranks, viz. Noblemen, land-holders, or farmers, and tradesmen. The first were indulged with great privileges, and wore the figure of a grasshopper, as a badge of honor, in their hair. The Romans wore a half moon upon their shoes.