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gentler

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gentler


  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Gentle  \Gen"tle\,  a.  [Compar.  {Gentler};  superl.  {Gentlest}.] 
  [OE.  gentil,  F.  gentil  noble,  pretty,  graceful,  fr  L. 
  gentilis  of  the  same  clan  or  race,  fr  gens,  gentis,  tribe, 
  clan,  race,  orig.  that  which  belongs  together  by  birth,  fr 
  the  root  of  genere,  gignere  to  beget;  hence  gentle, 
  properly,  of  birth  or  family,  that  is  of  good  or  noble 
  birth.  See  {Gender},  and  cf  {Genteel},  {Gentil},  {Gentile}, 
  {Gentoo},  {Jaunty}.] 
  1.  Well-born;  of  a  good  family  or  respectable  birth,  though 
  not  noble. 
 
  British  society  is  divided  into  nobility,  gentry, 
  and  yeomanry,  and  families  are  either  noble,  gentle, 
  or  simple.  --Johnson's 
  Cyc. 
 
  The  studies  wherein  our  noble  and  gentle  youth  ought 
  to  bestow  their  time.  --Milton. 
 
  2.  Quiet  and  refined  in  manners;  not  rough,  harsh,  or  stern; 
  mild;  meek;  bland;  amiable;  tender;  as  a  gentle  nature, 
  temper,  or  disposition;  a  gentle  manner;  a  gentle  address; 
  a  gentle  voice. 
 
  3.  A  compellative  of  respect,  consideration,  or  conciliation; 
  as  gentle  reader.  ``Gentle  sirs.''  ``Gentle  Jew.'' 
  ``Gentle  servant.''  --Shak. 
 
  4.  Not  wild,  turbulent,  or  refractory;  quiet  and  docile; 
  tame;  peaceable;  as  a  gentle  horse. 
 
  5.  Soft;  not  violent  or  rough;  not  strong,  loud,  or 
  disturbing;  easy;  soothing;  pacific;  as  a  gentle  touch;  a 
  gentle  gallop  .  ``Gentle  music.''  --Sir  J.  Davies. 
 
  O  sleep!  it  is  a  gentle  thing  --Coleridge. 
 
  {The  gentle  craft},  the  art  or  trade  of  shoemaking. 
 
  Syn:  Mild;  meek;  placid;  dovelike;  quiet;  peaceful;  pacific; 
  bland;  soft;  tame;  tractable;  docile. 
 
  Usage:  {Gentle},  {Tame},  {Mild},  {Meek}.  Gentle  describes  the 
  natural  disposition;  tame,  that  which  is  subdued  by 
  training;  mild  implies  a  temper  which  is  by  nature, 
  not  easily  provoked;  meek,  a  spirit  which  has  been 
  schooled  to  mildness  by  discipline  or  suffering.  The 
  lamb  is  gentle;  the  domestic  fowl  is  tame;  John,  the 
  Apostle,  was  mild;  Moses  was  meek. 




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