gent

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an informal term for a man, especially one regarded as a gentleman

   An elderly gent in a dark coat held the door open for us.

2. 2
   adj

   archaic or poetic: noble, courteous, or well-bred

   The ballad praised a gent knight known for his courtesy.

The noun is a shortening of gentleman. The older adjective comes from Middle English and Old French gent, 'noble or well-born,' ultimately from Latin genitus, 'born,' the past participle of gignere, 'to beget.'

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