noblesse oblige

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English

Etymology

Borrowed from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase. See noblesse and obliger.

Pronunciation

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

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 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

French

French Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia fr

Etymology

Literally, “nobility obliges”. See noblesse and obliger.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /nɔ.blɛ.s‿ɔ.bliʒ/ ~ /nɔ.ble.s‿ɔ.bliʒ/
  • Audio:(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

Italian Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia it

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), 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. noblesse oblige (the honourable/honorable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank)

Portuguese

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase.

Noun

noblesse oblige m or f (uncountable)

  1. noblesse oblige (the honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank)
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