GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Gentle , 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.]
   Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble.
   1913 Webster
   British society is divided into nobility, gentry, and yeomanry, and families are either noble, gentle, or simple.
   Johnson's Cyc.
   
   1913 Webster
   The studies wherein our noble and gentle youth ought to bestow their time.
   Milton.
   
   1913 Webster
   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.
   1913 Webster
   A compellative of respect, consideration, or conciliation; as, gentle reader. “Gentle sirs.” “Gentle Jew.” “Gentle servant.”
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   Not wild, turbulent, or refractory; quiet and docile; tame; peaceable; as, a gentle horse.
   1913 Webster
   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.
   
   1913 Webster
   O sleep! it is a gentle thing.
   Coleridge.
   
   1913 Webster
   The gentle craft, the art or trade of shoemaking.
   Syn. -- Mild; meek; placid; dovelike; quiet; peaceful; pacific; bland; soft; tame; tractable; docile. -- 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.
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

2.       
   Gentle, n.
   One well born; a gentleman. [Obs.]
   1913 Webster
   Gentles, methinks you frown.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   A trained falcon. See Falcon-gentil.
   1913 Webster
   (Zool.) A dipterous larva used as fish bait.
   1913 Webster
         
       

3.       
   Gentle, v. t.
   To make genteel; to raise from the vulgar; to ennoble. [Obs.]
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   To make smooth, cozy, or agreeable. [R. or Poet.]
   1913 Webster
   To gentle life's descent,
   We shut our eyes, and think it is a plain.
   Young.
   
   1913 Webster
   To make kind and docile, as a horse. [Colloq.]