gentle

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   having or showing a kindly or tender nature

   The gentle touch of a hand made everything OK.

2. 2
   adj

   quiet and soothing

   a gentle voice

3. 3
   adj

   easily handled or managed

   a gentle old horse, docile and obedient

4. 4
   adj

   Tender and amiable; of a considerate or kindly disposition.

   Stuart is a gentle man; he would never hurt you.

5. 5
   adj

   Soft and mild rather than hard or severe.

   I felt something touch my shoulder; it was gentle and a little slimy.

6. 6
   adj

   Docile and easily managed.

   We had a gentle swim in the lake.

7. 7
   adj

   Gradual rather than steep or sudden.

   The walks in this area have a gentle incline.

8. 8
   adj

   Polite and respectful rather than rude.

   He gave me a gentle reminder that we had to hurry up.

Etymology

From Middle English gentil (“courteous, noble”), from Old French gentil (“high-born, noble”), from Latin gentilis (“of the same family or clan”), from gens (“[Roman] clan”). Doublet of gentile, genteel, and jaunty.