Gentle

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈdÍ¡Ê’É›ntlÌ©/

Origin

From Middle English gentil ("courteous, noble"), from Old French gentil ("high-born, noble"), from Latin gentilis ("of the same family or clan"), from gens ("Roman clan")

Full definition of gentle

Adjective

1. Tender and amiable; of a considerate or kindly disposition.
   Stuart is a gentle man; he would never hurt you.
2. Soft and mild rather than hard or severe.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 3, Here the stripped panelling was warmly gold and the pictures, mostly of the English school, were mellow and gentle in the afternoon light.
3. I felt something touch my shoulder; it was gentle and a little slimy.
4. Docile and easily managed.
   We had a gentle swim in the lake.
   a gentle horse
5. Gradual rather than steep or sudden.
   The walks in this area have a gentle incline.
6. Polite and respectful rather than rude.
   He gave me a gentle reminder that we had to hurry up.
7. (archaic) Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble.
• Johnson's Cyc.British society is divided into nobility, gentry, and yeomanry, and families are either noble, gentle, or simple.
• Miltonthe studies wherein our noble and gentle youth ought to bestow their time

Synonyms

• (polite) friendly, kind, polite, respectful

Antonyms

• (polite) rude

Derived terms

Verb

1. (intransitive) to become gentle
2. (transitive) to ennoble
3. (transitive, animal husbandry) to break; to tame; to domesticate
4. (transitive) To soothe; to calm.

Noun

1. (archaic) A person of high birth.
• ShakespeareGentles, methinks you frown.
2. (archaic) A maggot used as bait by anglers
3. A trained falcon, or falcon-gentil.