adj., v., & n.
adj. (gentler, gentlest) 1 not rough; mild or kind, esp. in temperament. 2 moderate; not severe or drastic (a gentle rebuke; a gentle breeze). 3 (of birth, pursuits, etc.) honourable, of or fit for people of good social position. 4 quiet; requiring patience (gentle art). 5 archaic generous, courteous.
v.tr. 1 make gentle or docile. 2 handle (a horse etc.) firmly but gently.
n. a maggot, the larva of the meat-fly or bluebottle used as fishing-bait. gentleness n. gently adv.
[ ME f. OF gentil f. L gentilis: see GENTILE ]