Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Gentle
Gen′tle
,Adj.
[
Com
par.
Gentler
; sup
erl.
Gentlest
.] [OE.
gentil
, F. gentil
noble, pretty, graceful, fr. L. gentilis
of the same clan or race, fr. gens
, gentis
, tribe, clan, race, orig. that which belongs together by birth, fr. the root of genere
, gignere
, to beget; hence gentle
, properly, of birth or family, that is, of good or noble birth. See Gender
, and cf. Genteel
, Gentil
, Gentile
, Gentoo
, Jaunty
.] 1.
Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble.
British society is divided into nobility, gentry, and yeomanry, and families are either noble,
gentle
, or simple. Johnson’s Cyc.
The studies wherein our noble and
gentle
youth ought to bestow their time. Milton.
2.
Quiet and refined in manners; not rough, harsh, or stern; mild; meek; bland; amiable; tender;
as, a
gentle
nature, temper, or disposition; a gentle
manner; a gentle
address; a gentle
voice.3.
A compellative of respect, consideration, or conciliation;
“Gentle sirs.” “Gentle Jew.” “Gentle servant.” as,
. gentle
readerShak.
4.
Not wild, turbulent, or refractory; quiet and docile; tame; peaceable;
as, a
. gentle
horse5.
Soft; not violent or rough; not strong, loud, or disturbing; easy; soothing; pacific;
“Gentle music.” as, a
. gentle
touch; a gentle
gallop Sir J. Davies.
O sleep! it is a
gentle
thing. Coleridge.
Syn. – Mild; meek; placid; dovelike; quiet; peaceful; pacific; bland; soft; tame; tractable; docile.
– Gentle
, Tame
, Mild
, Meek
. Gentle describes the natural disposition; tame, that which is subdued by training; mild implies a temper which is, by nature, not easily provoked; meek, a spirit which has been schooled to mildness by discipline or suffering. The lamb is gentle; the domestic fowl is tame; John, the Apostle, was mild; Moses was meek. Gen′tle
,Noun.
1.
One well born; a gentleman.
[Obs.]
Gentles
, methinks you frown. Shakespeare
2.
A trained falcon. See
Falcon-gentil
. 3.
(Zool.)
A dipterous larva used as fish bait.
Gent′le
,Verb.
T.
1.
To make genteel; to raise from the vulgar; to ennoble.
[Obs.]
Shak.
2.
To make smooth, cozy, or agreeable.
[R. or Poet.]
To
We shut our eyes, and think it is a plain.
gentle
life's descent,We shut our eyes, and think it is a plain.
Young.
Webster 1828 Edition
Gentle
GEN'TLE
,Adj.
1.
Mild; meek; soft; bland; not rough, harsh or severe; as a gentle nature, temper or disposition; a gentle manner; a gentle address; a gentle voice. 1 Thess. 27. 2 Tim.2.2.
Tame; peaceable; not wild, turbulent or refractory; as a gentle horse or beast.3.
Soothing; pacific.4.
Treating with mildness; not violent. A gentle hand may lead the elephant with a hair.
GEN'TLE
,Noun.
1.
A kind of worm.GEN'TLE
,Verb.
T.
Definition 2024
gentle
gentle
English
Adjective
gentle (comparative gentler or more gentle, superlative gentlest or most gentle)
- Tender and amiable; of a considerate or kindly disposition.
- Stuart is a gentle man; he would never hurt you.
- Soft and mild rather than hard or severe.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 3, in The China Governess:
- Here the stripped panelling was warmly gold and the pictures, mostly of the English school, were mellow and gentle in the afternoon light.
- I felt something touch my shoulder; it was gentle and a little slimy.
-
- Docile and easily managed.
- We had a gentle swim in the lake.
- a gentle horse
- Gradual rather than steep or sudden.
- The walks in this area have a gentle incline.
- Polite and respectful rather than rude.
- He gave me a gentle reminder that we had to hurry up.
- (archaic) Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble.
- Johnson's Cyc.
- British society is divided into nobility, gentry, and yeomanry, and families are either noble, gentle, or simple.
- Milton
- the studies wherein our noble and gentle youth ought to bestow their time
- Johnson's Cyc.
Synonyms
- (polite): friendly, kind, polite, respectful
Antonyms
- (polite): rude
Derived terms
Terms derived from gentle (adjective)
Translations
Tender and amiable
Soft and mild rather than hard or severe
Docile and easily managed
Gradual rather than steep or sudden
|
Polite and respectful rather than rude
Verb
gentle (third-person singular simple present gentles, present participle gentling, simple past and past participle gentled)
- (intransitive) to become gentle (Can we add an example for this sense?)
- (transitive) to ennoble (Can we add an example for this sense?)
- (transitive, animal husbandry) to break; to tame; to domesticate (Can we add an example for this sense?)
- (transitive) To soothe; to calm. (Can we add an example for this sense?)
Noun
gentle (plural gentles)