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Webster 1913 Edition


Genteel

Gen-teel′

,
Adj.
[F.
gentil
noble, pretty, graceful. See
Gentle
.]
1.
Possessing or exhibiting the qualities popularly regarded as belonging to high birth and breeding; free from vulgarity, or lowness of taste or behavior; adapted to a refined or cultivated taste; polite; well-bred;
as,
genteel
company, manners, address
.
2.
Graceful in mien or form; elegant in appearance, dress, or manner;
as, the lady has a
genteel
person
. Law.
Syn. – Polite; well-bred; refined; polished.

Webster 1828 Edition


Genteel

GENTEE'L

,
Adj.
[L. gentilis, from gens, race, stock, family, and with the sense of noble or at least respectable birth,as we use birth and family.]
1.
Polite; well bred; easy and graceful in manners or behavior; having the manners of well bred people; as genteel company; genteel guests.
2.
Polite; easy and graceful; becoming well bred persons; as genteel manners or behavior; a genteel address.
3.
Graceful in mein or form; elegant; as the lady has a genteel person.
4.
Elegantly dressed.
5.
Decorous; refined; free from any thing low or vulgar; as genteel comedy.

Definition 2024


genteel

genteel

English

Adjective

genteel (comparative more genteel, superlative most genteel)

  1. Affectedly proper or refined; somewhat prudish refinement; excessively polite.
  2. Polite and well-mannered.
  3. Stylish or elegant.
  4. Aristocratic

Derived terms

Translations