NOBLE, Nobilitas, a person who has a privilege which raises him above a commoner or peasant, either by birth, by office, or by patent from his prince. The word comes from the Latin nobilitas; formed from the ancient noscibilis, "distinguishable, remarkable."
In England, the word noble is of a narrower import than in other countries, being confined to persons above the degree of knights; whereas, abroad, it comprehends not only knights, but what we simply call gentlemen. The nobles of England are also called parens regni, as being nobilitatis pares, though gradus impares.
The Venetian noblesse is famous: it is in this that the sovereignty of the state resides. It is divided into three classes. The first only comprehends 24 families. The second includes the descendants of all those who were entered into the Golden Book, in 1289, and destined to govern the state, which then began to be aristocratic. The third consists of such as have bought the dignity of noble Venetians. This last class is only admitted to the inferior employs; the two former to all indifferently. The title of noble Venetians is sometimes also given to foreign kings, princes, &c.