01 n. Birth; condition; rank by birth.
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1.
Birth; condition; rank by birth.[Obs.]“She conquers him by high almighty Jove, By knighthood, gentry, and sweet friendship's oath.” — Shak.
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2.
People of education and good breeding; in England, in a restricted sense, those between the nobility and the yeomanry.
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3.
Courtesy; civility; complaisance.[Obs.]“To show us so much gentry and good will.” — Shak.