gentrice: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Archaic/ObsoleteLiterary/Archaic
Quick answer
What does “gentrice” mean?
Nobility of birth or character.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Nobility of birth or character; noble birth or descent.
The status, qualities, or conduct befitting a person of noble birth; graciousness, courteousness, nobility of demeanor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No contemporary difference in usage, as the word is obsolete in both variants.
Connotations
In any surviving context, it carries strong historical/literary connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare to non-existent in modern corpora for both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “gentrice” in a Sentence
[possessive pronoun] + gentricegentrice + of + [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gentrice” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The knight's valour was matched only by his ancient gentrice.
- She bore herself with a gentrice that belied her humble surroundings.
American English
- The claim was based on his supposed gentrice, traced to a Norman conqueror.
- In the tale, the disguised prince's gentrice subtly revealed itself in his manners.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or philological studies of Middle English or Old French vocabulary.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gentrice”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gentrice”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gentrice”
- Misspelling as 'gentrice' with an 'e' at the end. Confusing it with the modern 'gentry'. Using it in a modern context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered an archaic or obsolete term. You will only encounter it in historical texts or as a deliberate archaism in literature.
'Gentrice' specifically refers to noble birth or descent. 'Gentility' can refer to this but more commonly refers to the refined manners and behaviour associated with good birth, and it remains in limited modern use.
It is pronounced /ˈdʒɛntrɪs/, with a soft 'g' as in 'gentle', stress on the first syllable, and a short 'i' sound.
No, it is solely a noun. The related adjective would be 'gentle' in its older sense (meaning 'noble-born') or modern adjectives like 'noble' or 'aristocratic'.
Nobility of birth or character.
Gentrice is usually literary/archaic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in contemporary use.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'GENTRY' (the noble class) + 'RICE' (a staple food). Imagine ancient nobility being so rich they could afford to eat only the finest rice – a symbol of their 'gentrice'.
Conceptual Metaphor
NOBILITY IS HEIGHT (high gentrice), NOBILITY IS PURITY (true gentrice).
Practice
Quiz
'Gentrice' is best defined as: