• gentilly(obsolete orarchaic,Southern US)
• gentlely(proscribed)

FromMiddle Englishgentilly,gentlych,gentilliche, equivalent togentle +‎-ly, with*-lely simplified to-ly byhaplology.

• IPA^(key):/ˈd͡ʒɛntli/
  • (General American)IPA^(key):[ˈd͡ʒɛ̃ɾ̃li],[ˈd͡ʒɛnli]

• Audio(US):

  (file)

• Hyphenation:gen‧tly

gently (comparativegentlierormoregently,superlativegentliestormostgently)

1. In amanner characterized bygentleness
   1. Without strongforce orquickness:softly,lightly.
      • 2012 May 8,Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi,Ottolenghi: The Cookbook‎^[1],Random House,→ISBN, page79:

        First, marinate the tofu. In a bowl, whisk the kecap manis, chilli sauce, and sesame oil together. Cut the tofu into strips about 1cm thick, mixgently (so it doesn't break) with the marinade and leave in the fridge for half an hour.

   2. In a gentle manner; to a gentle degree.
      • 1946 July and August, K. Westcott Jones, “Isle of Wight Central Railway—2”, inRailway Magazine, page243:

        From Blackwater there is a more or less level run throughgently rolling farmlands and downs to Merstone, with its island platform and passing loop.

   3. Quietly: without much noise or motion.
      • 1968,George Harrison, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, performed by The Beatles:

        I look at the world, and I notice it's turning / While my guitargently weeps / With every mistake, we must surely be learning / Still my guitargently weeps

2. (historical) From agentle or high-class family.

   gently born

3. (obsolete) In the manner of one ofgentle birth; in a manner that reflects the traditional virtues of thegentry:courteously,nobly.

• roughly

• “gently”, inCollins English Dictionary.