noblesse oblige
English
editEtymology
editBorrowed from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase. See noblesse and obliger.
Pronunciation
editNoun
editnoblesse 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
editthe honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank
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French
editEtymology
editLiterally, “nobility obliges”. See noblesse and obliger.
Pronunciation
editPhrase
editItalian
editEtymology
editUnadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase.
Pronunciation
editPhrase
editnoblesse 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
editnoblesse oblige m (uncountable)
- noblesse oblige (the honourable/honorable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank)
Portuguese
editEtymology
editUnadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase.
Noun
editnoblesse 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
- English multiword terms
- en:Nobility
- French terms with IPA pronunciation
- French terms with audio links
- Rhymes:French/iʒ
- French lemmas
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- fr:Nobility
- Italian terms borrowed from French
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