Gentlefolk: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
gentlefolk
[ หdสษntษlfoสk ]
social class
The term 'gentlefolk' refers to people of good family or social standing, typically used to denote the upper class or aristocracy in a historical context. Gentlefolk are often portrayed as those with refined manners and social etiquette, who belong to a respectable and socially prominent group.
Synonyms
aristocrats, gentry, nobility, upper class
Examples of usage
- The gentlefolk of the town gathered for the charity gala.
- She was raised among gentlefolk, learning the art of conversation.
- The estate was home to several gentlefolk from the region.
Translations
Translations of the word "gentlefolk" in other languages:
๐ต๐น gentil-homens
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเคเคเคฒเคซolk
- เคธเคเฅเคเคจ
- เคญเคฆเฅเคฐ เคฒเฅเค
๐ฉ๐ช Gentlefolk
๐ฎ๐ฉ kaum terhormat
๐บ๐ฆ ะดะพะฑัะพัะตัะฝั ะปัะดะธ
๐ต๐ฑ gentlefolk
๐ฏ๐ต ็ดณๅฃซๆทๅฅณ
๐ซ๐ท gentilhommes
๐ช๐ธ gentilhombre
๐น๐ท asil insanlar
๐ฐ๐ท ์ ์ฌ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฃูู ุงูุฎูุฑ
๐จ๐ฟ gentlefolk
๐ธ๐ฐ gentlefolk
๐จ๐ณ ็ป ๅฃซ
๐ธ๐ฎ gentlefolk
๐ฎ๐ธ gentlefolk
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถะฐาัั ะฐะดะฐะผะดะฐั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแ แฎแแแฎแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ nษcib insanlar
๐ฒ๐ฝ gentilhombre
Etymology
The word 'gentlefolk' has its origins in Middle English, combining 'gentle', derived from the Old French 'gentil' which means 'noble' or 'of noble birth', and 'folk', which is derived from the Old English 'folc' meaning 'people'. Historically, 'gentle' was used to denote individuals with noble or elevated social standings, while 'folk' referred to the general population. The term captures the idea of a distinguished group of people who are not only of noble lineage but also possess certain behavioral traits, such as courtesy and refinement. The use of 'gentlefolk' can be traced back to the medieval and renaissance periods when social classes significantly influenced daily life and interactions. Over time, while the strict class hierarchies have evolved, the notion of 'gentlefolk' remains associated with sophistication and genteel behavior.