Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1800-1900
Language: French
Origin: 'nobility brings obligations'

noblesse oblige

 noun
     
no‧blesse o‧blige [uncountable]
the idea that people who belong to a high social class should behave in a kind and generous way towards people of a lower social class
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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