genteel
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Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
genteel
- /d͡ʒɛnˈtiːl/
Where it comes from
Borrowed from French gentil (“gentile”), from Latin gentīlis (“of or belonging to the same people or nation”), from gēns (“clan; tribe; people, family”) + adjective suffix -īlis (“-ile”). Doublet of gentle, gentile, and jaunty. See also gens, gender, genus, and generation.
adjective more genteel · most genteel
- Affectedly proper or refined; somewhat prudish refinement; excessively polite. Genteel America was handicapped by meagerness of soul, thinness of temper, paucity of talent.
- Polite and well-mannered. Indeed I would advise every ſingle lady, if poſſible, to attend her inamorato, pretty frequently at the card table; and however genteel and agreeable his behaviour should be to herſelf, if he is haſty or pettiſh with any one else in company, she may depend on the ſame fate when once the knot is tied
- Stylish or elegant.
- Aristocratic.
