1383. Chaucer, Canterbury Tales. ‘Miller’s Tale.’ [Skeat, 1878, i., 194]. As any wesil her body gent and small.
1553–99. Spenser. He loved as was his lot, a lady gent. Idem. A knight had wrought against a lady gent.
1704. Mad. Knight’s Jour., p. 44. Law you, sais she, it’s right gent, do you take it—’tis dreadfull pretty.
Gentile, subs. (colloquial). Any sort of stranger, native or foreign; among the Mormons, any person not professing the Gospel according to Joe Smith. Hence, In the Land of the Gentiles = (1) in foreign parts; and (2) in strange neighbourhoods or alien society.
Gentle, subs. (anglers’).—A maggot; vulgarly, Gentile.
1811. Songs of the Chase. ‘The Jolly Anglers.’ We have gentles in our horns.
Gentle Craft, subs. (old).—1. The trade of shoemaking. [From the romance of Prince Crispin, who is said to have made shoes.]
1662. Rump Songs. ‘A Hymn to the Gentle Craft,’ etc., ii. 152. Crispin and he were nere akin: The gentle craft hath a noble kin.
2. (anglers’).—Angling.
1892. Milliken, ’Arry Ballads, p. 65. Sez I, gentle craft, said I.