Hypertext Webster Gateway: "gentle"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Gentle \Gen"tle\, a. [Compar. {Gentler}; superl. {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;
as, gentle reader. ``Gentle sirs.'' ``Gentle Jew.''
``Gentle servant.'' --Shak.
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.'' --Sir J. Davies.
O sleep! it is a gentle thing. --Coleridge.
{The gentle craft}, the art or trade of shoemaking.
Syn: Mild; meek; placid; dovelike; quiet; peaceful; pacific;
bland; soft; tame; tractable; docile.
Usage: {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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Gentle \Gen"tle\, n.
1. One well born; a gentleman. [Obs.]
Gentles, methinks you frown. --Shak.
2. A trained falcon. See {Falcon-gentil}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A dipterous larva used as fish bait.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Gentle \Gent"le\, v. t.
1. To make genteel; to raise from the vulgar; to ennoble.
[Obs.] --Shak.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
gentle
adj 1: soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe; "a gentle
reprimand"; "a vein of gentle irony"; "poked gentle
fun at him"
2: having or showing a kindly or tender nature; "the gentle
touch of her hand"; "her gentle manner was comforting"; "a
gentle sensitive nature"; "gentle blue eyes"
3: quiet and soothing; "a gentle voice"; "a gentle nocturne"
4: belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or
aristocracy; "an aristocratic family"; "aristocratic
Bostonians"; "aristocratic government"; "a blue family";
"blue blood"; "the blue-blooded aristocracy"; "of gentle
blood"; "patrician landholders of the American South";
"aristocratic bearing"; "aristocratic features";
"patrician tastes" [syn: {aristocratic}, {aristocratical},
{blue}, {blue-blooded}, {patrician}]
5: easily handled or managed; "a gentle old horse, docile and
obedient" [syn: {docile}]
6: having little impact; "an easy pat on the shoulder"; "gentle
rain"; "a gentle breeze"; "a soft (or light) tapping at
the window" [syn: {easy}, {soft}]
7: marked by moderate steepness; "an easy climb"; "a gentle
slope" [syn: {easy}]
v 1: cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of;
"She managed to mollify her angry boss" [syn: {pacify},
{lenify}, {conciliate}, {assuage}, {appease}, {mollify},
{placate}, {gruntle}]
2: give a title to someone; make someone a member of the
nobility [syn: {ennoble}, {entitle}]
3: stroke soothingly
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