docility

[ do-sil-i-tee, doh- ]
See synonyms for docility on Thesaurus.com
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.

Origin of docility

1
First recorded in 1550–60; docil(e) + -ity

Words Nearby docility

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use docility in a sentence

  • In every important political step, de Brus followed with docility his father's lead.

    King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison
  • If properly managed, cattle may be trained with all the docility, intelligence, and much of the activity of the horse.

    Domestic Animals | Richard L. Allen
  • And with the same childlike docility she repaired to her chamber, and betook herself to slumber.

    Alone | Marion Harland
  • These truculent ruffians (when they have thoroughly earned a thrashing) will often accept it with most edifying docility.

    The Cradle of Mankind | W.A. Wigram
  • She would play for time; she must pretend docility and meet quiet guile with guile.

    The Adventures of Kathlyn | Harold MacGrath