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gentleman
gentleman definition
gentle·man (jent′'l mən)
noun pl. gentlemen -·men (-mən)
- Obsolete a man born into a family of high social standing
- any man of independent means who does not work for a living
- a courteous, gracious man with a strong sense of honor
- a man's personal servant; valetchiefly in the phrase gentleman's gentleman
- any man: a polite term, esp. as (in pl.) a form of address
- ☆ a member of the U.S. House of Representatives: usually a form of address: often in the phrase the gentleman from (a specified state)
Etymology: ME gentilman (after OFr gentilz hom): see gentle & man
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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