gentleman

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒɛnt(ə)lmən/

noun (plural gentlemen)

  • 1a chivalrous, courteous, or honourable man: he behaved throughout like a perfect gentleman
  • a man of good social position, especially one of wealth and leisure.
  • a man of noble birth attached to a royal household: a Gentleman of the Bedchamber
  • 2a polite or formal way of referring to a man: opposite her an old gentleman sat reading can I help you, gentlemen?
  • used as a courteous title for a male fellow member of the House of Commons or the House of Representatives: the Right Honourable Gentleman opposite

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