释义 |
gentleman /ˈdʒɛnt(ə)lmən /noun (plural gentlemen)1A chivalrous, courteous, or honourable man: he behaved throughout like a perfect gentleman...- He was always the perfect gentleman, courteous and kind in his dealings with others.
- ‘He was an honourable man and a gentleman and brightened every room with his presence,’ his older brother Keenan last night said.
- I'd like to point out that I was the perfect gentlemen throughout, and my question was as a result of the picture next to the chatbox - I was wondering how intelligent she was.
1.1A man of good social position, especially one of wealth and leisure.At social gatherings eligible gentlemen would draw lots bearing ladies' names on the eve of St Valentine's Day....- It seems as if everyone is so concerned with reputation and wealth and well-founded gentlemen.
- Perhaps it was then that within the Royal Navy an officer's entry status was that of an officer by education and a gentleman by social background and manners.
1.2A man of noble birth attached to a royal household: a Gentleman of the Bedchamber...- He is an officer and a gentleman by royal decree.
- The second man was in the North, a gentleman by birth.
- Tall, well built, handsome, intelligent, graceful, he was everything a gentleman and noble should be.
2A polite or formal way of referring to a man: opposite her an old gentleman sat reading can I help you, gentlemen?...- On this woman's right, on the other side of the table from Stanson, two older English-looking gentlemen sat quietly.
- On the bus on my way home, I was very polite to an elderly gentleman by offering him my side of the seat where he'd be more comfortable.
- In addition, instead of fashionably dressed young ladies stationed at the gate to usher in the movie-goers, formally attired old gentlemen will be assigned to do the job.
2.1Used as a courteous title for a male fellow member of the House of Commons or the House of Representatives: the Right Honourable Gentleman opposite...- Senator, thank you for joining us, a fine gentleman and a fine representative from the state of Missouri.
- In the tradition of the House, the gentleman from Texas is recognized for 5 minutes.
- And ladies and gentlemen of the Congress, I thank you, their representatives, for what you have already done and for what we will do together.
Origin Middle English (in the sense 'man of noble birth'): from gentle1 + man, translating Old French gentilz hom. In later use the term denoted a man of a good family (especially one entitled to a coat of arms) but not of the nobility. Rhymes gentlemen |