|
| gen·tle [ jént'l ] |
adjective (comparative gen·tler, superlative gen·tlest) |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. kind: having a mild and kind nature or manner
|
2. mild: being moderate in force or degree so that the effects are not severe
 a gentle reprimand
|
3. using little force: using little force or violence
 a gentle tap on the shoulder
|
4. not steep: not rising very steeply
 a gentle slope
|
5. upper-class: relating to or having a high social status or class
|
6. chivalrous: having a gracious and honorable manner
(
archaic
)
|
transitive verb (past and past participle gen·tled, present participle gen·tling, 3rd person present singular gen·tles) |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. soothe somebody: to cause somebody to become less agitated by means of words or actions
(
literary
)
|
2. tame animal: to calm an animal and make it domesticated
(
formal
)
|
| [Pre-12th century. Via French gentil "well-born" < Latin gentilis "of the same clan" < gens "race, clan"] |
|
 gen·tle·ness noun |
 gent·ly adverb |
|