gentility

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   refined manners, appearance, or social behavior associated with being genteel

   Their faded furniture was carefully arranged to preserve an air of gentility.

2. 2
   noun

   high social standing or membership in the gentry

   He pursued wealth because he mistook it for gentility.

From Old French gentilite and Latin gentilitas, 'kinship, noble birth,' from gentilis, 'of the same clan.' English shifted from inherited rank toward the manners and appearance associated with genteel society.

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