Ennobling

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ennoble \En*no"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ennobled}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Ennobling}.] [Pref. en- + noble: cf. F. ennoblir.]
     1. To make noble; to elevate in degree, qualities, or
        excellence; to dignify. "Ennobling all that he touches."
        --Trench.
        [1913 Webster]


  
              What can ennoble sots, or slaves, or cowards?
              Alas! not all the blood of all the Howards. --Pope.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To raise to the rank of nobility; as, to ennoble a
        commoner.
  
     Syn: To raise; dignify; exalt; elevate; aggrandize.
          [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  ennobling
       adj 1: investing with dignity or honor; "the dignifying effect of
              his presence"; "the ennobling influence of cultural
              surroundings" [syn: {dignifying}]
       2: tending to exalt; "an exalting eulogy"; "ennobling thoughts"
          [syn: {exalting}]