gen|teel /dʒentiː l/
1 ADJ A genteel person is respectable and well-mannered, and comes or seems to come from a high social class. □ It was a place to which genteel families came in search of health and quiet. □ …two maiden ladies with genteel manners and voices.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A genteel place or area is quiet and traditional, but may also be old-fashioned and dull. □ …the genteel towns of Winchester and Chichester.
gen|tian /dʒe nʃ ə n/ (gentians ) N‑COUNT A gentian is a small plant with a blue or purple flower shaped like a bell which grows in mountain regions.
Gen|tile /dʒe nta I l, [AM ] -t ə l/ (Gentiles ) also gentile N‑COUNT A Gentile is a person who is not Jewish. ● ADJ [usu ADJ n] Gentile is also an adjective. □ He's far too handsome and too gentile to play Ginsberg.
gen|til|ity /dʒent I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Gentility is the fact or appearance of belonging to a high social class. □ The hotel has an air of faded gentility.
gen|tle ◆◇◇ /dʒe nt ə l/ (gentler , gentlest )
1 ADJ Someone who is gentle is kind, mild, and calm. □ My son was a quiet and gentle man. □ Michael's voice was gentle and consoling. ● gen|tly ADV [ADV with v] □ She smiled gently at him. □ 'I'm sorry to disturb you,' Webb said gently. ● gen|tle|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …the gentleness with which she treated her pregnant mother.
2 ADJ Gentle actions or movements are performed in a calm and controlled manner, with little force. □ …a gentle game of tennis. □ His movements were gentle and deliberate. ● gen|tly ADV □ Patrick took her gently by the arm and led her to a chair.
3 ADJ If you describe the weather, especially the wind, as gentle , you mean it is pleasant and calm and not harsh or violent. □ The blustery winds of spring had dropped to a gentle breeze. ● gen|tly ADV [ADV with v] □ Light airs blew gently out of the south-east.
4 ADJ A gentle slope or curve is not steep or severe. □ …gentle, rolling meadows. ● gen|tly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj] □ …gently rolling hills.
5 ADJ A gentle heat is a fairly low heat. □ Cook for 30 minutes over a gentle heat. ● gen|tly ADV [ADV with v] □ Add the onion and cook gently.
gentle|man ◆◇◇ /dʒe nt ə lmən/ (gentlemen )
1 N‑COUNT A gentleman is a man who comes from a family of high social standing. □ …this wonderful portrait of English gentleman Joseph Greenway.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that a man is a gentleman , you mean he is polite and educated, and can be trusted. □ He was always such a gentleman.
3 N‑COUNT You can address men as gentlemen , or refer politely to them as gentlemen . [POLITENESS ] □ This way, please, ladies and gentlemen. □ It seems this gentleman was waiting for the doctor.
gentle|man|ly /dʒe nt ə lmənli/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a man's behaviour as gentlemanly , you approve of him because he has good manners. [APPROVAL ] □ He was respected by all who knew him for his kind and gentlemanly consideration.
gentle|woman /dʒe nt ə lwʊmən/ (gentlewomen ) N‑COUNT A gentlewoman is a woman of high social standing, or a woman who is cultured, educated, and well-mannered. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
gen|tri|fy /dʒe ntr I fa I / (gentrifies , gentrifying , gentrified ) VERB [usu passive] When a street or area is gentrified , it becomes a more expensive place to live because wealthy people move into the area and buy the houses where people with less money used to live. □ [be V -ed] The local neighbourhood, like so many areas of Manhattan, is gradually being gentrified. ● gen|tri|fi|ca|tion /dʒe ntr I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …the gentrification of the area.
gen|try /dʒe ntri/ N‑PLURAL The gentry are people of high social status or high birth. [mainly BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ Most of the country estates were built by the landed gentry during the late 19th century.
genu|flect /dʒe njʊflekt/ (genuflects , genuflecting , genuflected )
1 VERB If you genuflect , you bend one or both knees and bow, especially in church, as a sign of respect. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] He genuflected in front of the altar.
2 VERB You can say that someone is genuflecting to something when they are giving it a great deal of attention and respect, especially if you think it does not deserve this. [mainly JOURNALISM , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + to ] They refrained from genuflecting to the laws of political economy. [Also V prep]
genu|ine ◆◇◇ /dʒe nju I n/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Genuine is used to describe people and things that are exactly what they appear to be, and are not false or an imitation. □ He is an inspiration and a genuine hero. □ …genuine leather. □ They're convinced the picture is genuine.
2 ADJ Genuine refers to things such as emotions that are real and not pretended. □ There was genuine joy in this room. □ If this offer is genuine I will gladly accept it. ● genu|ine|ly ADV □ He was genuinely surprised. ● genu|ine|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] He needed at least three days to assess the genuineness of their intentions.
3 ADJ If you describe a person as genuine , you approve of them because they are honest, truthful, and sincere in the way they live and in their relationships with other people. [APPROVAL ] □ She is very caring and very genuine. ● genu|ine|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ I have no doubt about their genuineness. SYNONYMS genuine ADJ