gentilesse

[ jen-tl-es, jen-tl-es ]

noun

1. the quality of being gentle.

gentilesse

/ ˈdʒɛntəˌlɛs /

noun

1. archaic.
   politeness or good breeding

Word History and Origins

Origin of gentilesse¹

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French gentillesse, equivalent to gentil ( genteel, gentle ) + -esse noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of gentilesse¹

C14: from Old French gentillesse; see genteel

Example Sentences

The first line means—'With regard to, or As to the first stock (or source), who was the father of gentilesse.'

From Project Gutenberg

To which add, as a twenty-third, the three stanzas on Gentilesse quoted in Scogan's poem (no. 33).

From Project Gutenberg

See remarks (in the notes) on Chaucer's Balade of Gentilesse.

From Project Gutenberg

Thou hast drawn all the thread out of my shift with thy gentilesse; thou hast tickled my heart with thy rebeck.

From Project Gutenberg

The 'cours d'amour, parlements d'amour, ou de courtoisie et de gentilesse,' had much more of love than of courtesy and gentleness.

From Project Gutenberg