helium

Noble No"ble, a. [Compar. {Nobler}; superl. {Noblest}.] [F. noble, fr. L. nobilis that can be or is known, well known, famous, highborn, noble, fr. noscere to know. See {know}.] 1. Possessing eminence, elevation, dignity, etc.; above whatever is low, mean, degrading, or dishonorable; magnanimous; as, a noble nature or action; a noble heart. [1913 Webster]

Statues, with winding ivy crowned, belong To nobler poets for a nobler song. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

2. Grand; stately; magnificent; splendid; as, a noble edifice. [1913 Webster]

3. Of exalted rank; of or pertaining to the nobility; distinguished from the masses by birth, station, or title; highborn; as, noble blood; a noble personage. [1913 Webster]

Note: Noble is used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, noble-born, noble-hearted, noble-minded. [1913 Webster]

{Noble gas} (Chem.), a gaseous element belonging to group VIII of the periodic table of elements, not combining with other elements under normal reaction conditions; specifically, {helium}, {neon}, {argon}, {krypton}, {xenon}, or {radon}; also called {inert gas}.

{Noble metals} (Chem.), silver, gold, and platinum; -- so called from their resistance to oxidation by air and to dissolution by acids. Copper, mercury, aluminium, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and osmium are sometimes included. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Honorable; worthy; dignified; elevated; exalted; superior; sublime; great; eminent; illustrious; renowned; stately; splendid; magnificent; grand; magnanimous; generous; liberal; free. [1913 Webster]