gentle
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Middle English gentil (“courteous, noble”), from Old French gentil (“high-born, noble”), from Latin gentilis (“of the same family or clan”), from gens (“[Roman] clan”)
Pronunciation [edit]
Adjective [edit]
gentle (comparative gentler, superlative gentlest)
- Tender and amiable; of a considerate or kindly disposition
- Stuart is a gentle man, he would never hurt you.
- Soft and mild rather than hard or severe
- I felt something touch my shoulder, it was gentle and a little slimy.
- Docile and easily managed
- We had a gentle swim in the lake.
- Gradual rather than steep or sudden
- The walks in this area have a gentle incline.
- Polite and respectful rather than rude
- He gave me a gentle reminder that we had to hurry up.
Synonyms [edit]
- (polite): friendly, kind, polite, respectful
Antonyms [edit]
- (polite): rude
Derived terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
Tender and amiable
Soft and mild rather than hard or severe
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Docile and easily managed
Gradual rather than steep or sudden
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Polite and respectful rather than rude
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Verb [edit]
gentle (third-person singular simple present gentles, present participle gentling, simple past and past participle gentled)
- (intransitive) to become gentle
- (transitive) to ennoble
- (transitive, animal husbandry) to break; to tame; to domesticate
- (transitive) To soothe; to calm.
Noun [edit]
gentle (plural gentles)
