Gentleman
The term gentleman (from Latin gentilis, belonging to a race or gens, and man, cognate with the French word gentilhomme, the Spanish Caballero, the Italian gentil uomo or gentiluomo and the Portuguese gentil-homem), in its original and strict signification, denoted a man of the lowest rank of the English gentry, standing below an esquire and above a yeoman.
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Famous quotes containing the word gentleman:
“I have been told lately that Fuseli was travelling by coach and a gentleman opposite him said: “I understand, Mr. Fuseli, that you are a painter; it may interest you to know that I have a daughter who paints on velvet.”
Fuseli rose instantly and said in a strong foreign accent, “Let me get out.””
—Samuel Butler (1835–1902)
“Believe me, there exists no such dilemma as that in which a gentleman is placed when he is forced to reply to a blackguard.”
—Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1845)