ˈjent ə lmən, ÷-n ə l- noun
( plural gentlemen )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English gentilman, from gentil noble, gentle + man — more at gentle
1.
a. : a man of noble or gentle birth : one belonging to the nobility or aristocracy : a man of quality
the count … though a rogue was a gentleman by birth — W.S.Maugham
b. : a man entitled to bear a coat of arms though not of noble rank : a member of the gentry
those whose right to bear arms was not established had to sign a form of disclaimer … to the title of gentleman — A.R.Wagner
this great revolution had been brought about by the gentlemen of England — L.G.Pine
c.
(1) : a man who combines gentle birth or rank with chivalrous qualities
(2) : a man irrespective of social status having chivalrous qualities : a man whose conduct conforms to a certain standard of propriety or correct behavior
being a gentleman , he rose and gave the lady his seat
no girl should go out with that man; he's no gentleman
a gentleman will never let you down — Katherine F. Gerould
the law of the land requires an officer of the United States armed forces to be a gentleman — Time
d.
(1) : a man of independent means who does not engage in any occupation or profession for gain : a man of wealth and leisure
anyone in Suffolk who is not engaged in farming and appears to exist on private means is designated a gentleman — Adrian Bell
the curriculum was constructed for gentlemen; technical or vocational subjects were unknown — Benjamin Fine
(2) : a man who does not engage in any menial occupation or in manual labor for gain
ruled that he could not compete because he had once worked with his hands and was therefore not a gentleman — Time
2.
a. : valet — often used in the phrase gentleman's gentleman
the unctuous conversation of gentlemen's gentlemen — F.A.Swinnerton
b. : an attendant upon a sovereign or other person of high station who is himself of noble or gentle birth or rank
3.
a. : a man whose dress, refined speech, manners, or regard for punctilio marks him as a member of the educated or upper class
a gentleman … was a man who used a butter knife even when alone — Robertson Davies
a gentleman don't fling stones — George Meredith
b. : a man of a lower, uneducated, or indeterminate social class or condition who is called a gentleman
draymen … and the laborers on the canal were … denominated “them gentlemen” — Frances Trollope
retired private chauffeur with 1953 car seeks another retired gentleman — New York Herald Tribune
— often used in the plural in addressing the men in an audience or group
ladies and gentlemen
these rambling talks have come to an end, gentlmen — Bliss Perry
c. : a man who is a member of a representative legislative body (as the United States House of Representatives) — used with the
the time of the gentleman from Kansas has expired — Congressional Record
d. : an amateur cricketer — contrasted with player
4. : a formidable or dangerous opponent not to be trifled with or underrated
must confess I do not like the gentleman , and would rather fight two Indians than one of these bears — Edmund Christopherson