Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

gentle

 - 3 dictionary results
STD Clinic in Los Angeles
See real doctor for STD concern $20 walk in consultation fee only
www.CaliforniaSTD.com

gen⋅tle

  [jen-tl] adjective, -tler, -tlest, verb, -tled, -tling.
Use gentle in a Sentence
–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 gēns) 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gentle
STD Clinic in Los Angeles
See real doctor for STD concern $20 walk in consultation fee only
www.CaliforniaSTD.com
gen·tle   (jěn'tl)   
adj.   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.

    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.

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


[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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

gentle 
c.1225, from O.Fr. gentil "high-born, noble," from L. gentilis "of the same family or clan," from gens (gen. gentis) "race, clan," from root of gignere "beget" (see kin), from PIE base *gen- "produce." Sense of "gracious, kind" (now obsolete) first recorded c.1280; that of "mild, tender" is 1552. Older sense remains in gentleman "well-born man" (c.1275). Gentleman's agreement is first attested 1929.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see gentle on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way