GENTILITY

Good extraction; dignity of birth. Macaulay. He . . . mines my gentility with my education. Shak.

The quality or qualities appropriate to those who are well born, as self-respect, dignity, courage, courtesy, politeness of manner, a graceful and easy mien and behavior, etc.; good breeding.

The class in society who are, or are expected to be, genteel; the gentry. [R.] Sir J. Davies.

Paganism; heathenism. [Obs.] Hooker.