gentility
[ˌd͡ʒɛnˈtɪl.ə.ɾi] noun
Forms gentilities
- noun (uncountable) The state of being elegant, genteel, having good breeding, or being socially superior.
- noun The upper classes, the gentry.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Old French gentilité.
Webster’s 1913
- noun Good extraction; dignity of birth. Macaulay.
- noun The quality or qualities appropriate to those who are well born, as self-respect, dignity, courage, courtesy, politeness of manner, a graceful and easy mien and behavior, etc.; good breeding.
Etymology [L. gentilitas the relationship of those who belong to the same clan, also, heathenism: cf. F. gentilité heathenism. See Gentile.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “gentility”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details