GENTLENESS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does gentleness mean? 

• GENTLENESS (noun)
  The noun GENTLENESS has 2 senses:

1. the property possessed by a slope that is very gradual

2. acting in a manner that is gentle and mild and even-tempered

  Familiarity information: GENTLENESS used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GENTLENESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The property possessed by a slope that is very gradual

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

gentleness; gradualness

Hypernyms ("gentleness" is a kind of...):

gradient; slope (the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the horizontal)

Derivation:

gentle (marked by moderate steepness)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Acting in a manner that is gentle and mild and even-tempered

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

gentleness; mildness; softness

Context example:

even in the pulpit there are moments when mildness of manner is not enough

Hypernyms ("gentleness" is a kind of...):

manner; personal manner (a way of acting or behaving)

Derivation:

gentle (having little impact)

gentle (having or showing a kindly or tender nature)

gentle (quiet and soothing)

gentle (soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe)

 Context examples 

There was a playfulness about her nips and a gentleness that prevented them from really hurting him.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

As the Doctor turned his kind face, with its smile of simplicity and gentleness, towards her, she drooped her head more.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Poor Wickham! there is such an expression of goodness in his countenance! such an openness and gentleness in his manner!

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Meg saw the girls glance at it and then at one another, and her cheeks began to burn, for with all her gentleness she was very proud.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

"You will stay, I am sure; you will stay and nurse her;" cried he, turning to her and speaking with a glow, and yet a gentleness, which seemed almost restoring the past.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Oh, that gentleness! how far more potent is it than force!

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

He has won all hearts by his sweetness and gentleness.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“Your family is perfectly well,” said Mr. Kirwin with gentleness; “and someone, a friend, is come to visit you.”

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

My dear and honored master, cried Nigel, in great anxiety, I fear me much that in your gentleness of heart you are straining this vow which you have taken.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Here all is softness and gentleness. Neither the human nor nature is savage. He will never know a whip-lash again. And as for the weather—why, it never snows here.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)