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.
Derivatives:
gentleness n. gently adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF gentil f. L gentilis: see GENTILE