Nobilis, 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 nobilis; formed from the ancient nobilitas, "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 pares regni, as being nobilitatis pares, though gradu impares.

The Venetian nobilita is famous; it is in this that...