gentleman

[jen-tl-muh n] /ˈdʒɛn tl mən/
noun, plural gentlemen.
1.
a man of good family, breeding, or social position.
2.
(used as a polite term) a man:
Do you know that gentleman over there?
3.
gentlemen, (used as a form of address):
Gentlemen, please come this way.
4.
a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered man:
He behaved like a true gentleman.
5.
a male personal servant, especially of a man of social position; valet.
6.
a male attendant upon a king, queen, or other royal person, who is himself of high birth or rank.
7.
a man of good social standing, as a noble or an armigerous commoner.
8.
a man with an independent income who does not work for a living.
9.
a male member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives:
The chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
10.
History/Historical. a man who is above the rank of yeoman.
Origin
1225-75; Middle English; see gentle, man1
Related forms
gentlemanlike, adjective
undergentleman, noun, plural undergentlemen.
ungentlemanlike, adjective
Synonyms
4. See man.
Usage note
See lady.
Examples from the web for gentleman
  • There was no way a gentleman could refuse such warm invitations.
  • If you're a lady it's not uncommon for a gentleman to hold the door for you.
  • He had managed to remain a gentleman in a sport where brutality was so often the mark of a champion.
  • He is still sorely missed, a true gentleman if ever there was one.
  • After slipping on a children's toy, the retired gentleman could not get back up.
  • Your correspondent's lap was as good a place as any for one elderly gentleman.
  • On the other hand a soft heart, it appears, wins a gentleman.
  • The immigration of illegal citizens is a dangerous and costly problem- as the above gentleman suggested.
  • Daniels is a soft-spoken gentleman who carefully considers his answers, so the interview took a little longer than expected.
  • He's also a crack gentleman amateur political theorist.
British Dictionary definitions for gentleman

gentleman

/ˈdʒɛntəlmən/
noun (pl) -men
1.
a man regarded as having qualities of refinement associated with a good family
2.
a man who is cultured, courteous, and well-educated
3.
a polite name for a man
4.
the personal servant of a gentleman (esp in the phrase gentleman's gentleman)
5.
(Brit, history) a man of gentle birth, who was entitled to bear arms, ranking above a yeoman in social position
6.
(formerly) a smuggler
Derived Forms
gentlemanly, adjective
gentlemanliness, noun
Word Origin and History for gentleman
n.

"well-born man," early 13c., from gentle + man.

The Gentleman is always truthful and sincere; will not agree for the sake of complaisance or out of weakness ; will not pass over that of which he disapproves. He has a clear soul, and a fearless, straightforward tongue. On the other hand he is not blunt and rude. His truth is courteous; his courtesy, truthful; never a humbug, yet, where he truthfully can, he prefers to say pleasant things. [J.R. Vernon, "Contemporary Review," 1869]
Related: Gentlemen. Gentleman's agreement is first attested 1929. Gentleman farmer recorded from 1749.