English

Noun

noblesse oblige ‎(uncountable)

1. The honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank; in American English this often includes the expectation of benevolent actions such as helping those less fortunate.

Usage notes

• The Oxford English Dictionary says that the term "suggests noble ancestry constrains to honourable behavior; privilege entails to responsibility." Being a noble meant that you had responsibilities to lead, manage, etc. You were not to simply spend your time in idle pursuits.

Translations

See also

• noblesse oblige on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Portuguese

Noun

noblesse oblige m or f (in variation) (uncountable)

1. noblesse oblige (the honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank)