Middle English Dictionary Entry
ǧentī̆lesse n.
Entry Info
| Forms | ǧentī̆lesse n. Also gentilles(se, gentelesse, gentilesce, gentilis, gentillisse, gentilirs. |
| Etymology | OF gentillece, -esse & gentelise. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Nobility of birth or rank; a particular rank or status; (b) of birds, plants, fruit: excellence, beauty; ~ of blod, fine pedigree.
Associated quotations
a
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)87/21 : Non en ys ariȝt gentyl ne noble of þe gentilesse of þe bodye..alle we byeþ children of one moder, þet is, of erþe.
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3441 : No wight passed hire in hardynesse, Ne in lynage ne in oother gentilesse; Of kynges blood of Perce is she descended.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.585 : Or elles he seith it cometh hym of gentillesse [vr. gentilles] of hise auncestres, and semblable thynges.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.2207 : The worldes constitucion Hath set the name of gentilesse Upon the fortune of richesse Which of long time is falle in age.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.1109 : Ye speken of swich gentilesse [vr. gentillese] As is descended out of old richesse.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.6.44 : It semeth that gentilesse be a maner preisynge that cometh of the dessertes of auncestres.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.6.52 : Yif ther be ony good in gentilesse, [etc.].
- ?a1450(?1350-75) Origo Mundi in Norris Anc.Corn.Drama (Bod 791)2105 : Damsel, er the gentylys, dysque thy'm a'd kerense.
- c1480(1462) Benev.Edw.IV (Add 48031)137 : We .. wol spare as muche as goodly we may to putte hem teny suche charge at this tyme, or teny charge other than accordith with thaire owne gentillesses.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)53/119 : Gentilesse..semeth..be input to gentilmen, that they shulden not varyen fro the vertues of their auncestres.
b
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.426 : Neuere man..herde of swich another [falcon] of fairnesse As wel of plumage as of gentillesse Of shap.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.620 : No gentilesse of blood may hem [caged birds] bynde.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)3.875 : Fruytes..that ar of gentilesse.
- c1450 Palladius (BodAdd A.369)11.28 : This is a preef of craftes [vr. graffis; L furculorum] gentillesse.
2.
(a) Nobility of character or manners; generosity, kindness, gentleness, graciousness, etc.; also, good breeding; (b) a noble or gracious action; don ~, to behave nobly, be kind.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?a1300) KAlex.(Auch)431/270 : Þer men miȝt reuþe ysen..Oft bimene his pruesse..His gentilirs [vr. gentrise], his curteisie.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)89/2 : Þis loue..oneþ zuo þe herte to god, þet he ne may oþer þing wylny..þet is þe grateste noblesse and þe heȝeste gentilesse þet me may to hopye and cliue.
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3854 : Who shal me yeue terris to compleyne The deeth of gentilesse and of franchise, That al the world welded in his demeyne?
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.920 : Som drope of pitee, thurgh thy gentillesse [vr. gentillisse], Vpon vs wrecched wommen lat thow falle.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3382 : Som folk wol be wonnen for richesse, And som for strokes, and som for gentilesse.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1721 : Thogh sche be the fouleste of alle, Yet to thonour of wommanhiede, Him thoghte he scholde taken hiede; So that for pure gentilesse..He set hire on his hors tofore.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.2699 : Thou now..Of gentilesce and of franchise Hast do mercy.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.1442 : Venus..men hire clepen the goddesse Of love and ek of gentilesse.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.1134,1137 : If gentillesse were planted naturelly Vnto a certeyn lynage..thanne wolde they neuere fyne To doon of gentilesse [vr. gentelesse] the faire office; They myghte do no vileynye or vice.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.155 : His [Jason's] strenthe, his bewte..His gentilles and wyse gouernaunce.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.6811 : Þe Grekis..hadde litel remembraunce Of gentilles nor of curtesye [etc.].
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.881 : For of good name and wisdom and manere She hath ynough, and ek of gentilesse.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.160 : Troilus..In whom that alle vertu list habounde, As alle trouth and alle gentilesse, Wisdom, honour, fredom, and worthinesse.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1080 : For pite and for gentillesse, Refreshed moste he been of his distresse.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.1298 : In roial paleisis of ston..Gentilesse or noblesse is nat souht..But onli ther wher vertu doth habounde.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)3709 : Thus hert chaast and tendre gentillesse Conquereth hertes, rather þan duresse.
- a1500(c1370) Chaucer Comp.L.(Benson-Robinson)103 : Wher is now al your wommanly pitee, Your gentilesse and your debonairtee?
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)5773 : Yt were..A tookne off gentyllesse..A sygne..Off honour, love, & gret fraunchyse.
- c1475 Lydg.SPuer(1) (Hrl 2251)65 : Whereso euer that thow dyne or soupe, Of gentilesse take salt withe thy knyf.
b
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.882 : What! platly, and ye suffre hym in destresse, Ye neyther bounte don ne gentilesse.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1148 : Every wyght, I gesse, That loveth wel, meneth but gentilesse.
- c1450(c1385) Chaucer Mars (Benson-Robinson)297 : Compleyneth eke, ye lovers..thilke ensample of al honour, That never dide but al gentilesse.
- c1475 Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Trin-O Arch.49)F.1608 : Gentillesse [Heng: Euerich of yow dide gentilly til oother].
3.
People of rank, aristocracy, gentry.
Associated quotations
- c1455 Chaucer CT.Cl.(Cmb Mm.2.5)E.480 : Gentelesse [Heng: Vn to my gentils, ye be no thyng so].