genteel

The definition of genteel is elegant style or a very polite person.

(adjective)

An example of genteel is a teenage boy trying to win over his girlfriend's parents; he would be appear to have genteel manners.

See genteel in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

Old-fashioned having or showing the good taste and refinement associated with polite society; elegant, fashionable, etc.
excessively or affectedly refined, polite, etc.

Origin: < Fr gentil (of same orig. as gentle & jaunty, but borrowed again in 16th c.)

Related Forms:

See genteel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Refined in manner; well-bred and polite.
Free from vulgarity or rudeness.
Elegantly stylish: genteel manners and appearance.
a. Striving to convey a manner or appearance of refinement and respectability. See Synonyms at polite.
b. Marked by affected and somewhat prudish refinement.

Origin:

Origin: French gentil

Origin: , from Old French; see gentle

Related Forms: