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

It’s for grammatical consistency, not beauty or gentilesse, for example, that correct English has us say “It was he” instead of “It was him.”

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Gentilesse′, the quality of being gentle, courtesy.—v.t.

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As to the connexion of “gentilesse” with the official grant or recognition of coat-armour, that is a profitable fiction invented and upheld by the heralds; for coat-armour was but the badge assumed by gentlemen to distinguish them in battle, and many gentlemen of long descent never had occasion to assume it, and never did.

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

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Crist wol, we clayme of him our gentilesse, Nat of our eldres for hir old richesse.

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