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109 results for: Gentle

Dictionary Entries (12 more entries. View all »)
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Cite This Source
gen·tle    Audio Help   [jen-tl] Pronunciation Key adjective, -tler, -tlest, verb, -tled, -tling.
–adjective
1.kindly; amiable: a gentle manner.
2.not severe, rough, or violent; mild: a gentle wind; a gentle tap on the shoulder.
3.moderate: gentle heat.
4.gradual: a gentle slope.
5.of good birth or family; wellborn.
6.characteristic of good birth; honorable; respectable: a gentle upbringing.
7.easily handled or managed; tractable: a gentle animal.
8.soft or low: a gentle sound.
9.polite; refined: Consider, gentle reader, my terrible predicament at this juncture.
10.entitled to a coat of arms; armigerous.
11.Archaic. noble; chivalrous: a gentle knight.
–verb (used with object)
12.to tame; render tractable.
13.to mollify; calm; pacify.
14.to make gentle.
15.to stroke; soothe by petting.
16.to ennoble; dignify.
[Origin: 1175–1225; ME gentle, gentil(e) < OF gentil highborn, noble < L gentīlis belonging to the same family, equiv. to gent- (s. of géns) gens + -īlis -le]

—Related forms
gen·tle·ness, noun
gently, adverb

—Synonyms 1. clement, peaceful, pacific, soothing; tender, humane, lenient, merciful. Gentle, meek, mild refer to an absence of bad temper or belligerence. Gentle has reference esp. to disposition and behavior, and often suggests a deliberate or voluntary kindness or forbearance in dealing with others: a gentle pat; gentle with children. Meek implies a submissive spirit, and may even indicate undue submission in the face of insult or injustice: meek and even servile or weak. Mild suggests absence of harshness or severity, rather because of natural character or temperament than conscious choice: a mild rebuke; a mild manner. 3. temperate. 5. noble. 7. manageable, docile, tame, quiet. 9. courteous; polished.
—Antonyms 1. harsh, cruel. 2. violent, sudden. 7. wild, unruly.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Thesaurus Entries (7 more entries. View all »)
  Roget's II: The New ThesaurusCite This Source
Main Entry:  gentle
Part of Speech:  adjective
Definition:  Of a kindly, considerate character.
Synonyms:  mild, soft, softhearted, tender, tenderhearted
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
  Roget's II: The New ThesaurusCite This Source
Main Entry:  gentle
Part of Speech:  adjective
Definition:  Free from severity or violence, as in movement.
Synonyms:  balmy, delicate, faint, mild, smooth, soft
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
  Roget's II: The New ThesaurusCite This Source
Main Entry:  gentle
Part of Speech:  adjective
Definition:  Easily managed or handled.
Synonyms:  docile, meek, mild, tame
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Encyclopedia Articles (85 more entries. View all »)
Columbia Electronic EncyclopediaCite This Source


Lochiel, the Gentle: see Cameron of Lochiel, Donald. 
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004, Columbia University Press.
Licensed from Columbia University Press




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