gentry



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Gentry \Gen"try\, n. [OE. genterie, gentrie, noble birth,
   nobility, cf. gentrise, and OF. gentelise, genterise, E.
   gentilesse, also OE. genteleri high-mindedness. See Gent,
   a., Gentle, a.]
   1. Birth; condition; rank by birth. [Obs.] "Pride of
      gentrie." --Chaucer.
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            She conquers him by high almighty Jove,
            By knighthood, gentry, and sweet friendship's oath.
                                                  --Shak.
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   2. People of education and good breeding; in England, in a
      restricted sense, those between the nobility and the
      yeomanry. --Macaulay.
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   3. Courtesy; civility; complaisance. [Obs.]
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            To show us so much gentry and good will. --Shak.
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