Etymology Map
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Gentle

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means mild and kind

Where does the word "gentle" come from? It comes from Latin gentilis, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
gentilis
Latin · ancient
"of the same clan"
from 'gens', family or clan
2
Stage 2 of 3
gentil
Old French · medieval
"high-born, noble"
applied to the manners expected of nobility
3
Stage 3 of 3
gentle
English · 1200s
"well-born; kind"
'gentleman' kept the class sense while 'gentle' came to mean mild
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Read the full story

Gentle’s story begins in Latin: gentilis meant “of the same clan.” From 'gens', family or clan. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as gentil. Applied to the manners expected of nobility. It reached English by 1200s as gentle. 'gentleman' kept the class sense while 'gentle' came to mean mild. Today, gentle means mild and kind.