—adj. (gentler, gentlest)
1 not rough; mild or kind, esp. in temperament.
2 moderate; not severe or drastic (a gentle rebuke; a gentle breeze).
3 (of birth, pursuits, etc.) honourable, of or fit for people of good social position.
4 quiet; requiring patience (gentle art).
5 archaic generous, courteous.
—v.tr.
1 make gentle or docile.
2 handle (a horse etc.) firmly but gently.
—n. a maggot, the larva of the meat-fly or bluebottle used as fishing-bait.
Derivatives:
gentleness n. gently adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF gentil f. L gentilis: see GENTILE
Useful english dictionary. 2012.