Definition of gentle

< gentility

gentle breeze >

gen·tle    (jntl) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:
gen·tler, gen·tlest

1. Considerate or kindly in disposition; amiable and tender.
2. Not harsh or severe; mild and soft: a gentle scolding; a gentle tapping at the window.
3. Easily managed or handled; docile: a gentle horse.
4. Not steep or sudden; gradual: a gentle incline.
5. 1. Of good family; wellborn: a child of gentle birth.
   2. Suited to one of good breeding; refined and polite: a gentle greeting to a stranger.
6. Archaic Noble; chivalrous: a gentle knight.

NOUN:
Archaic

One of good birth or relatively high station.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
gen·tled, gen·tling, gen·tles

1. To make less severe or intense: The peaceful sunset gentled her dreadful mood.
2. To soothe, as by stroking; pacify.
3. To tame or break (a domestic animal, for instance): gentle a horse.
4. To raise to the status of a noble.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English gentil, courteous, noble, from Old French, from Latin gentlis, of the same clan, from gns, gent-, clan; see gen- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
gentle·ness(Noun), gently(Adverb)