ennobled

Ennobled is the past participle of the verb ennoble, meaning to confer noble status on someone or to raise them to a higher social or moral standing. In its primary sense, it refers to the formal act by a sovereign or ruling authority of granting a noble title or peerage, often for service to the state or crown. The term can also be used more loosely to describe an elevated reputation or the bestowal of noble qualities upon a person.

Etymology: The English verb derives from Old French enoblir, from Latin nobilis 'noble'. The noun ennoblement denotes the act or process of conferring nobility. In many historical contexts, ennoblement created hereditary privileges or ceremonial ranks, such as barons, counts, or dukes, though in some systems it may be a life title.

Usage: In monarchies with formal peerages, individuals may be ennobled by the sovereign through a charter, letters patent, or other official decree. The adjective 'ennobled' is often used retrospectively, as in 'he was ennobled in 1903.' Metaphorically, writers may say a person or idea has been ennobled when it has been elevated to a higher moral or civic stature.

See also: ennoblement, noble, peerage.