3 results for: Gentler

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

gen·tle

Audio Help [jen-tl] Pronunciation Key adjective, -tler, -tlest, verb, -tled, -tling.

–adjective

1.	kindly; amiable: a gentle manner.

2.	not severe, rough, or violent; mild: a gentle wind; a gentle tap on the shoulder.

3.	moderate: gentle heat.

4.	gradual: a gentle slope.

5.	of good birth or family; wellborn.

6.	characteristic of good birth; honorable; respectable: a gentle upbringing.

7.	easily handled or managed; tractable: a gentle animal.

8.	soft or low: a gentle sound.

9.	polite; refined: Consider, gentle reader, my terrible predicament at this juncture.

10.	entitled to a coat of arms; armigerous.

11.	Archaic. noble; chivalrous: a gentle knight.

–verb (used with object)

12.	to tame; render tractable.

13.	to mollify; calm; pacify.

14.	to make gentle.

15.	to stroke; soothe by petting.

16.	to ennoble; dignify.

[Origin: 1175–1225; ME gentle, gentil(e) < OF gentil highborn, noble < L gentīlis belonging to the same family, equiv. to gent- (s. of géns) gens + -īlis -le

]

—Related forms

gen·tle·ness, noun

gently, adverb

—Synonyms 1. clement, peaceful, pacific, soothing; tender, humane, lenient, merciful. Gentle, meek, mild refer to an absence of bad temper or belligerence. Gentle has reference esp. to disposition and behavior, and often suggests a deliberate or voluntary kindness or forbearance in dealing with others: a gentle pat; gentle with children. Meek implies a submissive spirit, and may even indicate undue submission in the face of insult or injustice: meek and even servile or weak. Mild suggests absence of harshness or severity, rather because of natural character or temperament than conscious choice: a mild rebuke; a mild manner. 3. temperate. 5. noble. 7. manageable, docile, tame, quiet. 9. courteous; polished.

—Antonyms 1. harsh, cruel. 2. violent, sudden. 7. wild, unruly.

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Gentler

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

gen·tle Audio Help (jěn'tl) Pronunciation Key
adj. gen·tler, gen·tlest

Considerate or kindly in disposition; amiable and tender.
Not harsh or severe; mild and soft: a gentle scolding; a gentle tapping at the window.
Easily managed or handled; docile: a gentle horse.
Not steep or sudden; gradual: a gentle incline.
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.
Archaic Noble; chivalrous: a gentle knight.

n. Archaic
One of good birth or relatively high station.

tr.v. gen·tled, gen·tling, gen·tles

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

[Middle English gentil, courteous, noble, from Old French, from Latin gentīlis, of the same clan, from gēns, gent-, clan; see genə- in Indo-European roots.]

gen'tle·ness n., gen'tly adv.

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