n. [ L. ignobilitas: cf. F. ignobilité. ] Ignobleness. [ Obs. ] Bale. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I was not ignoble of descent. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not honorable, elevated, or generous; base. [ 1913 Webster ]

'T is but a base, ignoble mind,
That mounts no higher than a bird can soar. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) Not a true or noble falcon; -- said of certain hawks, as the goshawk.

Syn. -- Degenerate; degraded; mean; base; dishonorable; reproachful; disgraceful; shameful; scandalous; infamous. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To make ignoble. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. State or quality of being ignoble. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an ignoble manner; basely. [ 1913 Webster ]