Ignoble, a.
Etymology: [L. ignobilis; pref. in- not + nobilis noble: cf. F. ignoble. See In- not, and Noble, a.]
1. Of low birth or family; not noble; not illustrious; plebeian; common; humble. I was not ignoble of descent. Shak. Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants. Shak.
2. Not honorable, elevated, or generous; base. 'T but a base, ignoble mind, That mounts no higher than a bird can soar. Shak. Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife. Gray.
3. (Zoöl.)
Not a true or noble falcon; -- said of certain hawks, as the goshawk.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Degenerate; degraded; mean; base; dishonorable; reproachful; disgraceful; shameful; scandalous; infamous.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Ignoble, v. t.
To make ignoble. [Obs.] Bacon.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists ignoble only as an antonym, under generous.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.