gentry cove

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English

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Alternative forms

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Noun

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gentry cove (plural gentry coves)

  1. (obsolete, UK, thieves' cant) A gentleman.
    • 1621, Ben Jonson, The Gypsies Metamorphosed:
      As priest of the game, / And prelate of the same. / There's a gentry cove here.
    • 1837, Benjamin Disraeli, chapter XIV, in Venetia:
      'The gentry cove will be romboyled by his dam,' said a third gipsy. 'Queer Cuffin will be the word yet, if we don't tout.'
    • 2012, Kate Ross, A Broken Vessel:
      He's a go among the goes, is Mr. Kestrel. He's only got to sport a new kind of topper, or tie his crumpler a new way, and every gentry-cove in town does just the same.

Derived terms

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References

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