/ ˈdʒentl; NAmE / adjective ( gent·ler / ˈdʒentlə(r); NAmE / gent·lest / ˈdʒentlɪst; NAmE /)
1.
calm and kind; doing things in a quiet and careful way :
a quiet and gentle man
a gentle voice / laugh / touch
She was the gentlest of nurses.
He lived in a gentler age than ours.
Be gentle with her!
She agreed to come, after a little gentle persuasion .
He looks scary but he's really a gentle giant .
2.
( of weather, temperature, etc. ) not strong or extreme :
a gentle breeze
the gentle swell of the sea
Cook over a gentle heat.
3.
having only a small effect; not strong or violent :
We went for a gentle stroll.
a little gentle exercise
This soap is very gentle on the hands.
4.
not steep or sharp :
a gentle slope / curve / angle
—see also gently
► gentle·ness / ˈdʒentlnəs; NAmE / noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French gentil high-born, noble, from Latin gentilis of the same clan, from gens , gent- family, race, from the root of gignere beget. The original sense was nobly born , hence courteous, chivalrous , later mild, moderate in action or disposition (mid 16th cent.).