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