1. (n.) A person of refined or aristocratic upbringing\; originally, a member of any of the families constituting the populus Romanus, or body of Roman citizens, before the development of the plebeian order; later, one who, by right of birth or by special privilege conferred, belonged to the nobility.

2. (a.) of or pertaining to the Roman patres (fathers) or senators, or patricians.

3. (a.) Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to, a person of high birth; noble; not plebeian.

4. (n.) A person of high birth; a nobleman.

5. (n.) One familiar with the works of the Christian Fathers; one versed in patristic lore.

Brahman archduke aristocrat aristocratic armiger baron baronet blue blood chivalrous count daimio ducal duke earl esquire exalted genteel gentle gentleman gentlemanlike gentlemanly grand duke grandee hidalgo high kinglike kingly knightly lace-curtain ladylike laird landgrave lord lordling magnate magnifico margrave marquis noble nobleman of gentle blood of rank optimate palsgrave peer princelike princely queenlike queenly quite the lady seigneur seignior silk-stocking squire swell thoroughbred titled upper-cruster viscount waldgrave