[gen.try] n, pl gentries [ME gentrie, alter. of gentrise] (14c) 1 a obs: the qualities appropriate to a person of gentle birth; esp: 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; esp: the landed proprietors having such status
3: people of a specified class or kind: folks "no real heroes or heroines among the academic ~ --R. G. Hanvey"