gentleman

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“
Whether the gentleman was a good gentleman, and not a robber, he could not learn but his aunt Dorothy, having wrapped him warm in shawl and comforter, and tremblingly tied his hat-strings under his chin, assured him, with convulsive caresses, that it would soon be over, and he would soon be lying again snug and happy in his dear little bed.

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Definitions (30)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (6)

  1. noun A man of gentle or noble birth or superior social position: "He's too much a gentleman to be a scholar” (Aphra Behn).
  2. noun A well-mannered and considerate man with high standards of proper behavior. See Usage Note at lady.
  3. noun A man of independent means who does not need to have a wage-paying job.
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Examples (50)

  • Don't let him run away Bob found it hard work, for the gentleman was a long time, and the pony was restive, but he was a plucky little chap and would not give in. —  Willie the Waif
  • Willie: this gentleman is a very clever gentleman, so you must keep your wits about you. —  Melchior's Dream and Other Tales
  • The steps for the gentleman is as follows in the first part Slide left foot to the left; slightly spring forward with right foot, twice, leaving the left foot raised behind, in readiness for next step, (1st bar.) —  Routledge's Manual of Etiquette
  • Trust the waiter for knowing something about him, and if he doesn't, why, it's only to send a purlite message upstairs, saying that two gentlemen in the coffee-room have bet a trifle that he is some nobleman--Lord Maryborough, for instance,--he's a little chap--but we must make haste, or the gentleman will be asleep Well, then, I'll take your bet of a hat," replied the youth, "that he is not what I call a gentleman Jorrocks. —  Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities
  • You know the rest, as the gentleman was yourself On the contrary, madame, I know only that I fought and then fainted It is useless to say," continued Diana, with a blush, "the interest that we took in the combat so unequal, but so valiantly sustained. —  Chicot the Jester
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Etymologies (1)

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from Middle English gentilman, gentylman, jentilman, jantilman, etc., from gentil, gentle, i. e., of good or noble family, + man, after Old French gentilhomme, French gentilhomme = Spanish gentil hombre = Portuguese gentilhomem-Italian gentiluomo, from Middle Latin gentilis homo, a gentleman: L. gentilis, of good, family; homo (later F. homme = Spanish hombre = Portuguese homem = Italian uomo a man.
 

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/ˈdʒɛntlmən/
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