WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Gen"try
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE. genterie, gentrie, noble birth, nobility, cf. gentrise, and OF. gentelise, genterise, E. gentilesse, also OE. genteleri high-mindedness. See Gent, a., Gentle, a.]
Definition : 1. Birth; condition; rank by birth. [Obs.] "Pride of gentrie." Chaucer. She conquers him by high almighty Jove, By knighthood, gentry, and sweet friendship's oath. Shak.

2. People of education and good breeding; in England, in a restricted sense, those between the nobility and the yeomanry. Macaulay.

3. Courtesy; civility; complaisance. [Obs.] To show us so much gentry and good will. Shak.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913