gentry

[ jen-tree ]
/ ˈdʒɛn tri /

noun

wellborn and well-bred people.
(in England) the class below the nobility.
an upper or ruling class; aristocracy.
those who are not members of the nobility but are entitled to a coat of arms, especially those owning large tracts of land.
(used with a plural verb) people, especially considered as a specific group, class, or kind: The polo crowd doesn't go there, but these hockey gentry do.
the state or condition of being a gentleman.

Origin of gentry

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English word from Old French word genterie. See gentile, gentle

Example sentences from the Web for gentry

British Dictionary definitions for gentry

gentry
/ (ˈdʒɛntrɪ) /

noun

persons of high birth or social standing; aristocracy
British persons just below the nobility in social rank
informal, often derogatory people, esp of a particular group or kind

Word Origin for gentry

C14: from Old French genterie, from gentil gentle