Gentle
Gentle , adjective
[Old English gentil, French gentil noble, pretty, graceful, from Latin gentilis of the same clan or race, from gens, gentis, tribe, clan, race, orig. that which belongs together by birth, from the root of genere, gignere, to beget; hence gentle, properly, of birth or family, that is, of good or noble birth. See Gender, and compare 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.
The studies wherein our noble and gentle youth ought to bestow their time.
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; as, gentle reader.
Gentle sirs.
Gentle Jew.
Gentle servant.
4.
Not wild, turbulent, or refractory; quiet and docile; tame; peaceable; as, a gentle horse.
5.
Soft; not violent or rough; not strong, loud, or disturbing; easy; soothing; pacific; as, a gentle touch; a gentle gallop.
Gentle music.
O sleep! it is a gentle thing.
Collocations (1)
The gentle craft , the art or trade of shoemaking.
Gentle , noun
1.
One well born; a gentleman. [Obsolete]
Gentles, methinks you frown.
2.
A trained falcon. See Falcon-gentil.
3.
(Zoology) A dipterous larva used as fish bait.
Gentle , transitive verb
1.
To make genteel; to raise from the vulgar; to ennoble. [Obsolete] — Shakespeare
2.
To make smooth, cozy, or agreeable. [Rare or Poet.]
To gentle life's descent,
We shut our eyes, and think it is a plain.
3.
To make kind and docile, as a horse. [Colloquial]