Nobility

A division of the civil state, comprising persons exalted to some title or dignity. It is the opposite of "commonalty," and in England includes dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons. 1 Bl. Comm. 396. NOCENT (from Lat. "nocere"). Guilty. "The nocent person." 1 Vern. 429.

An order of men, in several countries, to whom special privileges are granted. The constitution of the United States provides, Art. 1, § 10, that “no state shall grant any title of nobility,” and § 9, that “no title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, without the consent of congress, accept of any title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.” It is singular that there should not have been a general prohibition against any citizen whatever, whether in private or public life, accepting any foreign title of nobility. An amendment for this purpose has been recommended by congress, but it has not been ratified by a sufficient number of states to make it a part of the constitution, probably from a growing sense that it is unnecessary. Kawle, Const. 120; Story, Const. § 1350; Federalist No. 84. NOCTANTER (By night). A writ which issued out of chancery and was returned to the king’s bench for the prostration of inclosures, etc. It was repealed by 7 & 8 Geo. IV. c. 27.

See Title, 4.