genteel

Adjective
Synonyms: civilizedcivilisedcultivatedculturedpolite

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (1)

  1. marked by refinement in taste and manners“cultivated speech”“cultured Bostonians”“cultured tastes”“a genteel old lady”“polite society”Synonyms: civilizedcivilisedcultivatedculturedpolite
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Genteel \Gen*teel"\, a. [F. gentil noble, pretty, graceful. See Gentle.]

1.Possessing or exhibiting the qualities popularly regarded as belonging to high birth and breeding; free from vulgarity, or lowness of taste or behavior; adapted to a refined or cultivated taste; polite; well-bred; as, genteel company, manners, address. [1913 Webster]

2.Graceful in mien or form; elegant in appearance, dress, or manner; as, the lady has a genteel person. Law. [1913 Webster]

3.Suited to the position of lady or a gentleman; as, to live in a genteel allowance.

Syn: Polite; well-bred; refined; polished. [1913 Webster]

The Devil's Dictionary

GENTEEL, adj. Refined, after the fashion of a gent.

Observe with care, my son, the distinction I reveal: A gentleman is gentle and a gent genteel. Heed not the definitions your "Unabridged" presents, For dictionary makers are generally gents. G.J.

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