| ignoble | 1. Of low birth or family; not noble; not illustrious; plebeian; common; humble. "I was not ignoble of descent." (Shak) "Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants." (Shak) 2. Not honorable, elevated, or generous; base. "'T but a base, ignoble mind, That mounts no higher than a bird can soar." (Shak) "Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife." (Gray) 3. <zoology> Not a true or noble falcon; said of certain hawks, as the goshawk. Synonym: Degenerate, degraded, mean, base, dishonorable, reproachful, disgraceful, shameful, scandalous, infamous. Origin: L. Ignobilis; pref. In- not + nobilis noble: cf. F. Ignoble. See In- not, and Noble. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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