Main Entry: ¹gen·tle

Pronunciation: \ˈjen-t^əl\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): gen·tler \ˈjent-lər, -t^əl-ər\; gen·tlest \ˈjent-ləst, -t^əl-əst\

Etymology: Middle English gentil, from Anglo-French, from Latin gentilis of a gens, of one's family, from gent-, gens gens, nation; akin to Latin gignere to beget — more at kin

Date: 13th century

1 a : belonging to a family of high social station b archaic : chivalrous c : honorable, distinguished; specifically : of or relating to a gentleman d : kind, amiable —used especially in address as a complimentary epithet <gentle reader> e : suited to a person of high social station
2 a : tractable, docile b : free from harshness, sternness, or violence
3 : soft, delicate
4 : moderate

— gent·ly \ˈjent-lē\ adverb