noblesse oblige
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Borrowed from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase. See noblesse and obliger.
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
noblesse oblige (uncountable)
- 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.
Usage notes[edit]
- The Oxford English Dictionary says that the term “suggests noble ancestry constrains to honourable behaviour; privilege entails responsibility”. Being a noble meant that you had responsibilities to lead, manage, etc. You were not to simply spend your time in idle pursuits.
Translations[edit]
the honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank
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French[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Literally, “nobility obliges”. See noblesse and obliger.
Pronunciation[edit]
Phrase[edit]
- noble or more generally high-ranked people have honourable obligations towards lower-ranked or less fortunate ones, and should behave nobly towards them
Italian[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Unadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase.
Pronunciation[edit]
Phrase[edit]
noblesse oblige
- noble or more generally high-ranked people have honourable/honorable obligations towards lower-ranked or less fortunate ones, and should behave nobly towards them
- Synonym: la nobiltà fa obbligo
Noun[edit]
noblesse oblige m (uncountable)
- noblesse oblige (the honourable/honorable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank)
Portuguese[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Unadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase.
Noun[edit]
noblesse oblige m or f (uncountable)
- noblesse oblige (the honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank)
Categories:
- English terms borrowed from French
- English terms derived from French
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- Rhymes:English/iːʒ
- English lemmas
- English nouns
- English uncountable nouns
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- en:Nobility
- French terms with IPA pronunciation
- French terms with audio links
- Rhymes:French/iʒ
- French lemmas
- French phrases
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- fr:Nobility
- Italian terms borrowed from French
- Italian unadapted borrowings from French
- Italian terms derived from French
- Italian terms with IPA pronunciation
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- Italian nouns
- Italian uncountable nouns
- Italian masculine nouns
- Portuguese terms borrowed from French
- Portuguese unadapted borrowings from French
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- Portuguese lemmas
- Portuguese nouns
- Portuguese uncountable nouns
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- Portuguese masculine nouns
- Portuguese feminine nouns
- Portuguese nouns with multiple genders