Category:Ignoble

Ig*no"ble, a. Etym: [L. ignobilis; pref. in- not + nobilis noble: cf. F. ignoble. See In- not, and Noble, a.]

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. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Not a true or noble falcon; -- said of certain hawks, as the goshawk.

Syn. -- Degenerate; degraded; mean; base; dishonorable; reproachful; disgraceful; shameful; scandalous; infamous.

ignoble Ig*no"ble, v. t.

Defn: To make ignoble. [Obs.] Bacon.