First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
ignoble
adjective ig·no·ble \ig-ˈnō-bəl\
: not deserving respect : not noble or honorable
Full Definition of IGNOBLE
1
: of low birth or common origin : plebeian
2
: characterized by baseness, lowness, or meanness
— ig·no·bil·i·ty \ˌig-nō-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— ig·no·ble·ness \ig-ˈnō-bəl-nəs\ noun
— ig·no·bly \-blē also -bə-lē\ adverb
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Origin of IGNOBLE
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin ignobilis, from in- + Old Latin gnobilis noble
Related to IGNOBLE
- Synonyms
- baseborn, common, humble, inferior, low, lowborn, lower-class, low-life, lowly, lumpen, mean, plebeian, prole, proletarian, unwashed, vulgar
- Antonyms
- aristocratic, blue-blooded, genteel, gentle, grand, great, high, highborn, highbred, lofty, noble, partrician, upper-class, upper-crust, wellborn
Synonym Discussion of IGNOBLE
mean, ignoble, abject, sordid mean being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity. mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity <mean and petty satire>. ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit <an ignoble scramble after material possessions>. abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility <abject poverty>. sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness <a sordid story of murder and revenge>.
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