docility

[ do-sil-i-tee, doh- ]

/ dɒˈsɪl ɪ ti, doʊ- /

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noun

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.

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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Origin of docility

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

Words nearby docility

DOCG, doch-an-doris, doch-an-dorrach, Docherty, docile, docility, dock, dockage, docken, docker, docket

How to use docility in a sentence

In studies of humans and mice, those genes influence endurance, weight-bearing ability and docility.
Scientists found modern domestic horses’ homeland in southwestern Russia|Jonathan Lambert|October 20, 2021|Science News
When the principal threatens to get Child Services involved with Robin’s case, Theo is willing to try anything to keep from medicating his son into an appropriate state of docility.
Fresh off a Pulitzer win for ‘The Overstory,’ Richard Powers delivers another environmental ode|Ron Charles|September 21, 2021|Washington Post
Drugs keep the docile human population in “Chemical Serenity,” glued to “pain and sex” shows on television.
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ is a bestseller, but its author, Walter Tevis, was hardly a one-hit wonder|Michael Dirda|February 3, 2021|Washington Post
Only then, the idea goes, were canines docile enough for people to train as helpers.
Harsh Ice Age winters may have helped turn wolves into dogs|Bruce Bower|February 3, 2021|Science News For Students

He wanted purity, docility, absolute devotion to her husband—and plump white arms.
The Man Who Tried to Raise a Wife|Mythili Rao|April 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
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

docility

Origin of docility

Words nearby docility

Words related to docility

How to use docility in a sentence