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The nobility; persons of noble rank collectively, including males and females. Dryden.

The body of nobles; the nobility. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Government by the nobility. [R.] Howell.

Of or pertaining to the nobility or aristocracy. [R.] -- n.

The nobility or aristocracy of ancient Rome, as opposed to the populares.

der; later, one who, by right of birth or by special privilege conferred, belonged to the nobility.

A nobleman; a member of one of the five degrees of the British nobility, namely, duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron; as, a peer of the realm. A noble peer of mickle trust and power. Milton. House of Peers, The Peers, the British House of Lords. See Parliament. -- Spiritual peers, the bishops and archibishops, or lor…

The body of peers; the nobility, collectively. When Charlemain with all his peerage fell. Milton.

An assembly, especially of person of rank or nobility; noble company. Odmar, of all this presence does contain, Give her your wreath whom you esteem most fair. Dryden.

family only. In Italy a prince is inferior to a duke as a member of a particular order of nobility; in Spain he is always one of the royal family.

of heroic achievements. And kindle with thy own productive fire. Dryden. This is turning nobility into a principle of virtue, and making it productive of merit. Spectator.

y, those of high rank or station, as distinguished from the masses, or common people; the nobility; the gentry. I shall appear at the masquerade dressed up in my feathers, that the quality may see how pretty they will look in their traveling habits. Addison.

cy on the part of a queen. Elizabeth showed much queencraft in procuring the votes of the nobility. Fuller.

The rolls of deeds on parchment in which the Scottish nobility and gentry subscribed allegiance to Edward I. of England, A. D. 1296. [Also written ragman-roll.]

Grade of official standing, as in the army, navy, or nobility; as, the rank of general; the rank of admiral.

To manage insolently at will; to domineer over. The nobility could no longer endure to be ridden by bakers, cobblers, and brewers. Swift.

(Fr. & Canadian Law) A feudal tenure of lands by one who has no privileges of nobility, but is permitted to discharge all his obligations to his feudal lord or superior by a payment of rent in money or kind and without rendering any personal services.

istory must find a word for this class when it speaks of other nations) from the order of nobility. Chenevix.

ber of the class, of military retainers of the daimios, constituting the gentry or lesser nobility. They possessed power of life and death over the commoners, and wore two swords as their distinguishing mark. Their special rights and privileges were abolished with the fall of feudalism in 1871.

To dignify or honor by ceremonies; to celebrate. Their choice nobility and flowers . . . Met from all parts to solemnize this feast. Milton.