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noblesse oblige - 3 dictionary results
no⋅blesse o⋅blige
[noh-bles oh-bleezh; Fr. naw-bles aw-bleezh] 
–noun
| the moral obligation of those of high birth, powerful social position, etc., to act with honor, kindliness, generosity, etc. |
Origin:
1830–40; < F: lit., nobility obliges
1830–40; < F: lit., nobility obliges
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
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Link To noblesse oblige
| noblesse o·blige (ō-blēzh') n. Benevolent, honorable behavior considered to be the responsibility of persons of high birth or rank. [French, nobility is an obligation : noblesse, nobility + oblige, third person sing. present tense of obliger, to obligate.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
noblesse oblige [(noh-bles oh-bleezh)]
The belief that the wealthy and privileged are obliged to help those less fortunate. From French, meaning “nobility obligates.”
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
