gentle1

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒɛnt(ə)l/

adjective (gentler, gentlest)

  • 1having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character: a gentle, sensitive man her gentle voice
  • 2moderate in action, effect, or degree; not strong or violent: take some gentle exercise a gentle breeze
  • (of a slope) gradual: a gentle embankment
  • 3 archaic (of a person) noble or having the qualities attributed to noble birth; courteous and chivalrous.

verb

  • make or become gentle: [no object]: Cobb’s tone gentled a little
  • [with object] touch (a person or animal) gently, typically in order to make them calmer or more docile.

Derivatives

gentleness

noun

gently

adverb

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French gentil 'high-born, noble', from Latin gentilis 'of the same clan' (see gentile). The original sense was 'nobly born', hence 'courteous, chivalrous', later 'mild, moderate in action or disposition' (mid 16th century)