noblesse oblige

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Lua error in Module:utilities at line 142: attempt to perform arithmetic on local 'h' (a nil value), primarily used as a phrase. See noblesse and obliger.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /nəʊˌblɛs ɒˈbliːʒ/
  • (US) IPA(key): /noʊˌblɛs əˈbliʒ/
  • Rhymes: -iːʒ

Noun

noblesse oblige (uncountable)

  1. 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

  • The Oxford English Dictionary says that the term “suggests noble ancestry constrains to honourable behavior; privilege entails to 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

French

Etymology

Literally, nobility obliges. See noblesse and obliger.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /nɔ.blɛ.s‿ɔ.bliʒ/, /nɔ.ble.s‿ɔ.bliʒ/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -iʒ

Phrase

noblesse oblige

  1. noble or more generally high-ranked people have honourable obligations towards lower-ranked or less fortunate ones, and should behave nobly towards them

Italian

Etymology

Lua error in Module:utilities at line 142: attempt to perform arithmetic on local 'h' (a nil value), primarily used as a phrase.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /noˈblɛs oˈbliʒ/

Phrase

noblesse oblige

  1. 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

noblesse oblige m (uncountable)

  1. Lua error in Module:utilities at line 142: attempt to perform arithmetic on local 'h' (a nil value) (the honourable/honorable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank)

Portuguese

Etymology

Lua error in Module:utilities at line 142: attempt to perform arithmetic on local 'h' (a nil value), primarily used as a phrase.

Noun

noblesse oblige m or f (uncountable)

  1. Lua error in Module:utilities at line 142: attempt to perform arithmetic on local 'h' (a nil value) (the honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank)
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