Gen"til*ize, v. i. To render gentile or gentlemanly; as, to gentilize
your unworthy sones. [R.] Sylvester.
Gen"til*ly (?), adv. [From Gentil, a.] In a gentle or hoble manner;
frankly. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Gen`ti*o*pi"krin (?), n. [Gentian + Gr. &?; bitter.] (Chem.) A bitter,
yellow, crystalline substance, regarded as a glucoside, and obtained
from the gentian.
Gen"ti*sin (?), n. (Chem.) A tasteless, yellow, crystalline substance,
obtained from the gentian; -- called also gentianin.
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. -- 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.