NOBLE, Nobilis, a person who has any 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 nobilis, formed from the ancient noscibilis, distinguishable or 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 gradu impares.