Part 468

Gen"tle*folk` (?), Gen"tle*folks` (&?;), n. pl. Persons of gentle or good family and breeding. [Generally in the United States in the plural form.] Shak.

Gen"tle-heart`ed (?), a. Having a kind or gentle disposition. Shak. -- Gen"tle- heart`ed*ness, n.

Gen"tle*man (?), n.; pl. Gentlemen (#). [OE. gentilman nobleman; gentil noble + man man; cf. F. gentilhomme.]

1. A man well born; one of good family; one above the condition of a yeoman.

2. One of gentle or refined manners; a well- bred man.

3. (Her.) One who bears arms, but has no title.

4. The servant of a man of rank.

The count's gentleman, one Cesario.

Shak.

5. A man, irrespective of condition; -- used esp. in the plural (= citizens; people), in addressing men in popular assemblies, etc.

In Great Britain, the term gentleman is applied in a limited sense to those having coats of arms, but who are without a title, and, in this sense, gentlemen hold a middle rank between the nobility and yeomanry. In a more extended sense, it includes every man above the rank of yeoman, comprehending the nobility. In the United States, the term is applied to men of education and good breeding of every occupation.

Gentleman commoner, one of the highest class of commoners at the University of Oxford. -- Gentleman usher, one who ushers visitors into the presence of a sovereign, etc. -- Gentleman usher of the black rod, an usher belonging to the Order of the Garter, whose chief duty is to serve as official messenger of the House of Lords. -- Gentlemen-at-arms, a band of forty gentlemen who attend the sovereign on state occasions; formerly called gentlemen pensioners. [Eng.]

Gen"tle*man*hood (?), n. The qualities or condition of a gentleman. [R.] Thackeray.

{ Gen"tle*man*like` (?), Gen"tle*man*ly (?), } a. Of, pertaining to, resembling, or becoming, a gentleman; well-behaved; courteous; polite.

Gen"tle*man*li*ness (?), n. The state of being gentlemanly; gentlemanly conduct or manners.

Gen"tle*man*ship, n. The carriage or quality of a gentleman.

Gen"tle*ness, n. The quality or state of being gentle, well-born, mild, benevolent, docile, etc.; gentility; softness of manners, disposition, etc.; mildness.

Gen"tle*ship, n. The deportment or conduct of a gentleman. [Obs.] Ascham.

Gent"lesse (?), n. Gentilesse; gentleness. [Obs.]

Gen"tle*wom`an (?), n.; pl. Gentlewomen (&?;).

1. A woman of good family or of good breeding; a woman above the vulgar. Bacon.

2. A woman who attends a lady of high rank. Shak.

Gen"tly (?), adv. In a gentle manner.

My mistress gently chides the fault I made.

Dryden.

Gen*too" (?), n.; pl. Gentoos (#). [Pg. gentio gentile, heathen. See Gentile.] A native of Hindostan; a Hindoo. [Archaic]

Gen"try (?), n. [OE. genterie, gentrie, noble birth, nobility, cf. gentrise, and OF. gentelise, genterise, E. gentilesse, also OE. genteleri high-mindedness. See Gent, a., Gentle, a.] 1. Birth; condition; rank by birth. [Obs.] "Pride of gentrie." Chaucer.

She conquers him by high almighty Jove, By knighthood, gentry, and sweet friendship's oath.