Noah Webster
Gentle
GEN'TLE, adjective [See Genteel.] Well born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble; as the studies of noble and gentle youth; gentle blood.
1. Mild; meek; soft; bland; not rough, harsh or severe; as a gentle nature, temper or disposition; a gentle manner; a gentle address; a gentle voice. 1 Thessalonians 2:7. 1 Thessalonians 2:7.
2. Tame; peaceable; not wild, turbulent or refractory; as a gentle horse or beast.
3. Soothing; pacific.
4. Treating with mildness; not violent.
A gentle hand may lead the elephant with a hair.
GEN'TLE, noun A gentleman.
1. A kind of worm.
GEN'TLE, verb transitive To make genteel; to raise from the vulgar.