See Also: gentleman(medicine)
gentleman(dictionary)
gentleman(dictionary)
GENTLEMAN(law)
gentleman's agreement(dictionary)
gentleman farmer(dictionary)
Gentleman Jockey - Horse Racing(gambling)

gentleman (iou)



gentleman noun. Pl. -men. ME.
[from GENTLE adjective + MAN noun, after Old French gentilz homme (mod. gentilhomme).]
A man of gentle (orig. noble) birth. In later use, a man of good birth (according to heraldic interpretations, one entitled to bear arms) who is not a nobleman; (formerly sometimes placed as a title after a man's name). Now chiefly Hist. ME.
A. Radcliffe Pierre de la Motte was a gentleman descended from an ancient house of France.
A man who demonstrates his gentle birth by appropriate behaviour or moral qualities, e.g. chivalrous conduct, consideration for others, sense of honour, etc.; gen. a man (of whatever rank) who displays such qualities. ME.
P. G. Wodehouse Clarence is a gentleman He is incapable of insulting a woman. E. O'Neill I give you my word as an officer and a gentleman.
A man of gentle birth attached to the household of a monarch or other person of high rank. Freq. in titles, as Gentleman of the Bedchamber, Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, etc. See also gentleman-at-arms, gentleman pensioner below. LME.
C. V. Wedgwood The King was still accompanied by..Thomas Herbert, the gentleman in attendance, and three or four lower servants.
b. A man (orig. of gentle birth) acting as personal attendant to a man of rank or quality. See also gentleman's gentleman below. LME.
Smollett I took the name from his gentleman, Mr. O'Frizzle.
Used as a courteous designation for a member of certain societies and professions, a fellow-member of the House of Commons or the House of Representatives, etc.; esp. the gentleman from (a specified constituency). M16.
W. S. Churchill The hon. Gentleman opposite..tries to suggest it is all some fake propaganda.
b. In pl., as a polite form of address to a group (esp. an audience) of men of whatever rank (corresp. to 'sir' in sing.). Formerly also sing., as a polite form of address to one man. L16.
c. As a genteelism: a man, of whatever rank. E19.
A. Loos Gentlemen always seem to remember blondes. J. Orton Miss Barclay, a gentleman wishes to see you.
d. the gentlemen('s) (treated as sing.), a public convenience for males. E20.
A man of superior social standing; a man with the refinement of manners, breeding, etc., that qualify him to mix in the best society. L16.
R. L. Stevenson In the steerage there are males and females; in the second cabin ladies and gentlemen. J. Wain He was dressed in a quiet grey suit and looked..every inch a gentleman.
b. As a status: a man whose wealth frees him from the need to follow a trade or profession. Also (dial. & joc.), a man without employment. L18.
c. Cricket (now Hist.). A non-professional player (opp. PLAYER 2c). E19.
fig.: H. Greene Broadcasting is no longer a profession for gentlemen: the players have taken over.
euphem. (a) = gentleman of the road below; (b) a smuggler. L18.
Phrases etc.: COUNTRY gentleman. fine gentleman: see FINE adjective. gentleman-at-arms any of the forty gentlemen acting as bodyguard to the British monarch on ceremonial occasions. gentleman of fortune an adventurer. gentleman of the road (a) a highwayman; (b) a commercial traveller; (c) a Gypsy. gentleman of virtu: see VIRTU noun 1. gentleman's agreement (orig. US): binding in honour, but not enforceable at law. gentleman's gentleman a valet. Gentleman's Relish (proprietary name for) a highly seasoned anchovy paste. gentlemen of the press journalists. gentlemen's agreement = gentleman's agreement above. ladies and gentlemen: see LADY noun & adjective. Old Gentleman the Devil. walking gentleman: see WALKING ppl adjective.
Attrib. & comb.: Esp. in the sense 'practising a specified occupation as an amateur rather than for profit or pay', as gentleman-adventurer, gentleman-farmer, etc. Special combs., as gentleman-commoner Hist. (at Oxford and Cambridge) a member of a class of undergraduates enjoying special privileges; gentleman friend arch. colloq. a boyfriend, a beau; gentleman-pensioner = gentleman-at-arms above; gentleman-usher a gentleman acting as usher to a person of superior rank.
gentlemanhood noun the position or character of a gentleman M18.
gentlemanlike adjective & adverb (a) adjective = gentlemanly (a); (b) adverb in the manner of a gentleman: M16.
gentlemanliness noun gentlemanly quality L16.
gentlemanly adjective & adverb (a) adjective natural or appropriate to a gentleman; resembling a gentleman in appearance or conduct; (b) adverb (now rare) as befits a gentleman: LME.