docility

American  

[do-sil-i-tee, doh-] / dɒˈsɪl ɪ ti, doʊ- /

noun

1. the fact or quality of being easily handled, managed, or led; meek and unquestioning obedience or compliance.

   Their whole military system rewards docility and conformity and punishes dynamism and adherence to strong convictions.

   In contrast to the productive but stubborn Brown Swiss breed, Helvetica cows are known for their docility.

2. willingness to learn or be taught or to accept direction; receptivity or openness.

   May this Pentecost create a new docility to the Spirit, within each of us as individuals and within the corporate Body of the Church.

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Etymology

Origin of docility

First recorded in 1550–60; docil(e) ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

Belyayev found that after multiple generations of controlled breeding silver foxes on Prince Edward Island, the animals began to develop traits associated with domesticity: Docility, floppy ears, spotted coats and curled tails.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2023

Docility and obedience would be demanded of him later, but not till the first agony had abated.

From Piccadilly Jim by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)

Docility of mind, the patriarchal principle, and the very perfection of innumerable wise and moral precepts have, by the practice of thousands of years, produced in him their natural result. 

From The English Gipsies and Their Language by Leland, Charles Godfrey

Docility was no element of Mrs. Silver's present mood, and Herbert's hopeful eyes became blank, as his gaze wandered from her head to the brown basket beside her.

From Gentle Julia by Gilbert, C. Allan

Docility, as I have pointed out elsewhere, is one of the marks of genius.

From Albert Durer by Moore, T. Sturge

Related Words

• acquiescence
• conformity
• deference
• orderliness
• reverence