gently
Use Gently in a sentence
tl 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.
00:10
Gently
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
Origin:
1175–1225; Middle English gentle, gentil(e) < Old French gentil highborn, noble < Latin gentīlis belonging to the same family, equivalent to gent- (stem of gēns) gens + -īlis -le
1175–1225; Middle English gentle, gentil(e) < Old French gentil highborn, noble < Latin gentīlis belonging to the same family, equivalent to gent- (stem of gēns) gens + -īlis -le
Related forms
gen·tle·ness, noun
gen·tly, adverb
o·ver·gen·tle, adjective
o·ver·gen·tly, adverb
un·gen·tle, adjective
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 especially 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.
1. clement, peaceful, pacific, soothing; tender, humane, lenient, merciful. Gentle, meek, mild refer to an absence of bad temper or belligerence. Gentle has reference especially 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.
1. harsh, cruel. 2. violent, sudden. 7. wild, unruly.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To gently
Collins
World English Dictionary
gentle (ˈdʒɛntəl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | having a mild or kindly nature or character |
| 2. | soft or temperate; mild; moderate: a gentle scolding |
| 3. | gradual: a gentle slope |
| 4. | easily controlled; tame: a gentle horse |
| 5. | archaic of good breeding; noble: gentle blood |
| 6. | archaic gallant; chivalrous |
| —vb | |
| 7. | to tame or subdue (a horse) |
| 8. | to appease or mollify |
| 9. | obsolete to ennoble or dignify |
| —n | |
| 10. | a maggot, esp when used as bait in fishing |
| 11. | archaic a person who is of good breeding |
| [C13: from Old French gentil noble, from Latin gentīlis belonging to the same family; see | |
| 'gently | |
| —adv | |
| gentle (ˈdʒɛntəl) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | having a mild or kindly nature or character |
| 2. | soft or temperate; mild; moderate: a gentle scolding |
| 3. | gradual: a gentle slope |
| 4. | easily controlled; tame: a gentle horse |
| 5. | archaic of good breeding; noble: gentle blood |
| 6. | archaic gallant; chivalrous |
| —vb | |
| 7. | to tame or subdue (a horse) |
| 8. | to appease or mollify |
| 9. | obsolete to ennoble or dignify |
| —n | |
| 10. | a maggot, esp when used as bait in fishing |
| 11. | archaic a person who is of good breeding |
| [C13: from Old French gentil noble, from Latin gentīlis belonging to the same family; see | |
| 'gently | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
gentle
early 13c., 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 late 13c.; that
of "mild, tender" is 1550s. Older sense remains in gentleman "well-born man" (late 13c.). Gentleman's agreement is first attested 1929.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
He spoke gently and quietly, as it is in his nature to do.
Let the light fall gently, and the clouds show an inner vest of the first green leaf.
In the early morning, a ceremony commences to gently bless respected elders with water.
Police came and took her gently aside and told her they would try to find the name of the morgue.
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