n.
Pronunciation: ' jen-tr ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural gentries
Etymology: Middle English gentrie, alteration of gentrise
Date: 14th century
1 a obsolete : the qualities appropriate to a person of gentle birth especially : COURTESY b : the condition or rank of a gentleman
2 a : upper or ruling class : ARISTOCRACY b : a class whose members are entitled to bear a coat of arms though not of noble rank especially : the landed proprietors having such status
3 : people of a specified class or kind : FOLKS <no real heroes or heroines among the academic gentry ― R. G. Hanvey>