n.
Pronunciation: ' jen-t ə l
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: gen · tler \ ' jent-l ə r, -t ə l- ə r \ ; gen · tlest \ ' jent-l ə st, -t ə l- ə st \
Etymology: Middle English gentil, from Anglo-French, from Latin gentilis of a gens, of one's family, from gent-, gens gens, nation; akin to Latin gignere to beget ― more at KIN
Date: 13th century
1 a : belonging to a family of high social station b archaic : CHIVALROUS c : HONORABLE , DISTINGUISHED specifically : of or relating to a gentleman d : KIND , AMIABLE ― used especially in address as a complimentary epithet < gentle reader> e : suited to a person of high social station
2 a : TRACTABLE , DOCILE b : free from harshness, sternness, or violence
3 : SOFT , DELICATE
4 : MODERATE
– gent · ly \ ' jent-l ē \ adverb