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.