genteel English · revision 1551

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1599}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /d͡ʒɛnˈtiːl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|gentil|t=stylish, graceful, pleasing]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[fro|gentil|t=high-born, noble]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) from [[la|gentīlis|t=of the same clan]], from [[m|la|gēns|t=clan, race]].^(Skeat 1911) The same French word had earlier been borrowed as [[gentle]];^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) the later borrowing kept the French pronunciation and stress, which set it apart from [[gentile]].^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of dress, dwellings or food: stylish, fashionably elegant (1599 in the OED, Barnhart and Merriam-Webster), at first in the spelling ''gentile''.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the 17th century it meant belonging to the gentry (1628),^(OED 1989) suited to the station of a gentleman or gentlewoman (1602),^(OED 1989) and polished or well-bred.^(Hoad 1986)^(OED 1989) It is now often used with a sarcastic or half-contemptuous note;^(OED 1989)^(Weekley 1921) Thackeray's ''shabby-genteel'' describes those who keep up the appearance of gentility on little means.^(Weekley 1921) The modern sense is of an affected, prudish refinement.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Collins 2023) Weekley notes that [[jaunty]] shows a still closer imitation of the French pronunciation.^(Weekley 1921)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1599 – stylish, fashionably elegant.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1602 – befitting a gentleman or gentlewoman.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1628 – belonging to the gentry.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Refined in manner; well-bred and [[polite]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Free from [[vulgarity]] or rudeness.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Elegant or stylish; of or suited to the [[gentry]] or polite society.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Striving to keep up an appearance of refinement and respectability; marked by affected or [[prudish]] refinement.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[genteelly]]

+ * [[genteelness]]

+ * [[pseudogenteel]]

+ * [[shabby-genteel]]

+ * [[ungenteel]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[gentleman]]

+ * [[gentle]]

+ * [[gentile]]

+ * [[jaunty]]

+ * [[gentry]]

+ * [[gentility]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}