Nobility Meaning

Video shows what nobility means. A noble or privileged social class, historically accompanied by a hereditary title; aristocracy.. The quality of being noble.. nobility synonyms: aristocracy, upper class, nobleness. Nobility Meaning. How to pronounce, definition audio dictionary. How to say nobility. Powered by MaryTTS, Wiktionary

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Nobility is a social class, normally ranked immediately under royalty, that possesses more acknowledged privileges and higher social status than most other classes in a society, membership thereof typically being hereditary.

The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be largely honorary (e.g., precedence), and vary from country to country and era to era.

The medieval chivalric motto noblesse oblige, which literally means "nobility obligates", explains that privileges carry a life-long obligation of duty to uphold social responsibilities, be it of honorable behavior, customary service or leadership, that lives on by a familial or kinship bond.

Historically, membership in the nobility and the prerogatives thereof have been regulated or acknowledged by the monarch or government, thereby distinguishing it from other sectors of a nation's upper class wherein wealth, lifestyle or affiliation may be the salient markers of membership.

Nonetheless, nobility per se has rarely constituted a closed caste; acquisition of sufficient power, wealth, military prowess or royal favour has, with varying frequency, enabled commoners to ascend into the nobility.

There is often a variety of ranks within the noble class.

Legal recognition of nobility has been more common in monarchies, but nobility also existed in such regimes as the Dutch Republic (1581–1795), the Republic of Genoa (1005–1815) the Republic of Venice (697–1797), and the Old Swiss Confederacy (1300 – 1798) and remains part of the legal social structure of some non-hereditary regimes, e.g., San Marino and the Vatican City in Europe.

Hereditary titles often distinguish nobles from non-nobles, although in many nations most of the nobility have been un-titled, and a hereditary title need not ipso facto indicate nobility (e.g., vidame).

Some countries have had non-hereditary nobility, such as the Empire of Brazil.