To make or become gentle
“She was a loud and rambunctious woman but she would always gentle her tone around children.”
To touch with the intention of having a calming effect
“The first thing a trainer must learn is how to gentle a horse.”
To assuage the agitation or anger of (someone)
“He bought his irate wife a Louis Vuitton handbag to gentle her after he had forgotten their anniversary.”
(archaic) To make someone a member of the nobility
“King Richard II would gentle his loyal knights, rewarding their bravery and unwavering service with titles and land.”
(archaic) Plural for a person of high birth
“A commoner merits the same kindness and respect as one would accord to a gentle.”
Related Words and Phrases
|