genteel

Borrowed from French gentil (“gentile”), from Latin gentīlis (“of or belonging to the same people or nation”), from gēns (“clan; tribe; people, family”) + adjective suffix -īlis (“-ile”). Doublet of gentle and gentile. See also gens, gender, genus, and generation.

• IPA^(key): /d͡ʒɛnˈtiːl/

genteel (comparative more genteel, superlative most genteel)

1. Affectedly proper or refined; somewhat prudish refinement; excessively polite.
   • 1976, Saul Bellow, Humboldt's Gift, New York: Avon, →ISBN, page 407:

     Genteel America was handicapped by meagerness of soul, thinness of temper, paucity of talent.

2. Polite and well-mannered.
3. Stylish or elegant.
4. Aristocratic.

• gentleman

• genelet