noblesse oblige

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank; in American English this often includes the expectation of benevolent actions such as helping those less fortunate.

Pronunciation

/nəʊˌblɛs ɒˈbliːʒ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-noblesseoblige.wav /noʊˌblɛs əˈbliʒ/

Word forms

noblesse oblige

Etymology

Borrowed from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase. See noblesse and obliger.

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