nobility Copy link Outline I. Nobleness of birth or rankII. Collectively, those of noble rank1. nōbĭlĭtas (cf. supr. I.)2. nōbĭles, ium (cf. supr. I.)3. optĭmātes, um and ium (the aristocracy)III. In ethical sense; elevation of mind • nobility: I. Nobleness of birth or rank: nōbĭlĭtas (strictly the status of families whose members had held curule offices): to shed lustre on one's n., n. suam illustrare, Cic. Br. 16, 62: Sall.: equestrian n. (rank), equestris n., Tac. Agr. 4. (Or expr. by generosus, nobilis, etc.: v. noble, I.) II. Collectively, those of noble rank: 1. nōbĭlĭtas (cf. supr. I.): a partisan of the n., nobilitatis fautor, Cic. R. Am. 6, 16: pride, the common vice of n., superbia commune malum nobilitatis, Sall. Jug. 64: Caes. 2. nōbĭles, ium (cf. supr. I.): the rank of all the n., dignitas omnium n., Cic. R. Am. 6, 16: the sing. may also be used, but adjectively, Carthalo a Carthaginian noble, Carthalo Carthaginiensis n., Liv. 22, 58, med. (where Carthaginiensis is to be regarded as subs. and nobilis as adj., a Carth. of high rank): v. noble. 3. optĭmātes, um and ium (the aristocracy): a commonwealth which is under the government of the n. (an aristocracy), civitas quae optimatium arbitrio regitur, Cic. Rep. 1, 26. Phr.: a member of the old n. (at Rome), homo veteris prosapiae ac multarum imaginum, Sall. Jug. 85, ad init.: I am not one of the old n., imagines non habeo et mihi nobilitas nova est, ib. med. III. In ethical sense; elevation of mind: magnus, generosus, elatus animus: v. noble, generous. (Not nobilitas in this sense.)