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Webster 1913 Edition


Gentry

Gen′try

,
Noun.
[OE.
genterie
,
gentrie
, noble birth, nobility, cf.
gentrise
, and OF.
gentelise
,
genterise
, E.
gentilesse
, also OE.
genteleri
high-mindedness. See
Gent
,
Adj.
,
Gentle
,
Adj.
]
1.
Birth; condition; rank by birth.
[Obs.]
“Pride of gentrie.”
Chaucer.
She conquers him by high almighty Jove,
By knighthood,
gentry
, and sweet friendship’s oath.
Shakespeare
2.
People of education and good breeding; in England, in a restricted sense, those between the nobility and the yeomanry.
Macaulay.
3.
Courtesy; civility; complaisance.
[Obs.]
To show us so much
gentry
and good will.
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition


Gentry

GEN'TRY

,
Noun.
Birth; condition; rank by birth.
1.
People of education and good breeding. In Great Britain, the classes of people between the nobility and the vulgar.
2.
A term of civility; civility; complaisance.

Definition 2024


Gentry

Gentry

See also: gentry

English

Proper noun

Gentry

  1. A surname.

gentry

gentry

See also: Gentry

English

Noun

gentry (plural gentries)

  1. Birth; condition; rank by birth.
  2. Courtesy; civility; complaisance.
  3. People of education and good breeding.
  4. (Britain) In a restricted sense, those people between the nobility and the yeomanry.

Synonyms

Related terms