An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A gaseous chemical element that does not readily enter into chemical combination with other elements. Examples are helium, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. Same as → inert gas.

Etymology (EN): Noble, from O.Fr. noble, from L. nobilis “well-known, famous, of superior birth,” earlier gnobilis, literally “knowable,” from gnoscere “to come to know” (Fr. connaître; Sp. conocer); cognate with Pers. šenâxtan “to know, discern, distinguish, be acquainted with;”
Mid.Pers. šnâxtan, šnâs- “to know, recognize,” dânistan “to know;” O.Pers./Av. xšnā- “to know, learn, come to know, recognize;”
cf. Skt. jñā- “to recognize, know,” jānāti “he knows;” Gk. gignoskein “to know, think, judge;” P.Gmc. *knoeanan; O.E. cnawan; E. know; Rus. znat “to know;” PIE base *gno- “to know;” → gas.

Etymology (PE): Gâz, → gas; huped “noble,” from Mid.Pers. hupid “noble,” from hu- “good, well” (Mid.Pers. hu-; O.Pers. ^hu- “good, well” (ukāra- “having good people”); Av. hu-, hū- “well, good, beautiful” (hu-kərp- “well-shapen,” hūxta- “well spoken,” hu-manah- “good-minded”); cf.
Skt. su- “good” (svasti “well-being, good luck,” sumánas- “good-minded,” sūktá- “well spoken”); L. from Gk. eu “well,” combining form of eus “good” (hu-gies “healthy”); Gallic su-; O.S. su-; Welsh hy-; PIE base *su-) + pid “father,” variant of pidar; Mod.Pers.
pedar “father” (O.Pers. pitā- “father;” Av. patar-; Skt. pitár-; Gk. pater; L. pater, O.H.G. fater).