| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024gen•tle /ˈdʒɛntəl/USA pronunciation adj., -tler, -tlest. - kindly; amiable;
calm:She had a soothing, gentle manner. - not severe, rough, or violent;
mild;
light:a gentle tap on the arm. - moderate:gentle heat.
- not steep;
gradual:a gentle slope. - easily handled or managed:a gentle animal.
- soft or low:a gentle sound.
gen•tle•ness, n. [uncountable] gen•tly /ˈdʒɛntli/USA pronunciation adv. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024gen•tle ( jen′tl),USA pronunciation adj., -tler, -tlest, v., -tled, -tling. adj. - kindly;
amiable:a gentle manner. - not severe, rough, or violent;
mild:a gentle wind; a gentle tap on the shoulder. - moderate:gentle heat.
- gradual:a gentle slope.
- of good birth or family;
wellborn. - characteristic of good birth;
honorable;
respectable:a gentle upbringing. - easily handled or managed;
tractable:a gentle animal. - soft or low:a gentle sound.
- polite;
refined:Consider, gentle reader, my terrible predicament at this juncture. - entitled to a coat of arms;
armigerous. - [Archaic.]noble;
chivalrous:a gentle knight.
v.t. - to tame;
render tractable. - to mollify;
calm;
pacify. - to make gentle.
- to stroke;
soothe by petting. - to ennoble;
dignify.
- Latin gentīlis belonging to the same family, equivalent. to gent- (stem of gēns) gens + -īlis -le
- Old French gentil highborn, noble
- Middle English gentle, gentil(e) 1175–1225
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged clement, peaceful, pacific, soothing; tender, humane, lenient, merciful. Gentle, meek, mild refer to an absence of bad temper or belligerence. Gentle has reference esp. to disposition and behavior, and often suggests a deliberate or voluntary kindness or forbearance in dealing with others:a gentle pat; gentle with children.Meek implies a submissive spirit, and may even indicate undue submission in the face of insult or injustice:meek and even servile or weak.Mild suggests absence of harshness or severity, rather because of natural character or temperament than conscious choice:a mild rebuke; a mild manner.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged temperate.
- 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged noble.
- 7.See corresponding entry in Unabridged manageable, docile, tame, quiet.
- 9.See corresponding entry in Unabridged courteous; polished.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged harsh, cruel.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged violent, sudden.
- 7.See corresponding entry in Unabridged wild, unruly.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: gentle /ˈdʒɛntəl/ adj - having a mild or kindly nature or character
- soft or temperate; mild; moderate
- gradual: a gentle slope
- easily controlled; tame
- archaic of good breeding; noble: gentle blood
- archaic gallant; chivalrous
vb (transitive)- to tame or subdue (a horse)
- to appease or mollify
n - a maggot, esp when used as bait in fishing
Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French gentil noble, from Latin gentīlis belonging to the same family; see gensˈgently adv |