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a1726 J. Cooke 39 Serm. Several Occasions (1729) I. vi. 168 The fin had a sting at first, but we soon pull it out, or, by often handling and gentling of it, make it harmless and inoffensive.

1883 M. E. Braddon Golden Calf xix. 211 She was wild and wilful, and wanted more gentling before she was brought to the lure.

1890 Amer. Naturalist 24 789 The subduing, gentling power of man when exerted on an immediate object and with certain kind solicitude, which was fully reciprocated in that object.

1921 Musical Q. 7 198 The majority of royal monsters, degenerates, tyrants, madmen and weaklings, seem to have cherished music without their ‘savage breasts’ ever reacting to the gentling effect of its charm.

2007 Sunday Independent (Ireland) (Nexis) 15 Apr. Meg was a gentling influence on him.

2016 Charleston (W. Va.) Gaz.-Mail (Nexis) 6 Nov. 5 a There was no subtlety, no gentling, no compassion, just a visceral level of barely controlled rage, then defeat.