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GENTLY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
With little weight or force
Example:
she kissed him lightly on the forehead
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Pertainym:
gentle (having little impact)
Sense 2
Meaning:
In a gradual manner
Example:
a gently sloping terrain
Classified under:
Pertainym:
gentle (marked by moderate steepness)
Sense 3
Meaning:
In a gentle manner
Example:
he talked gently to the injured animal
Synonyms:
gently; mildly
Classified under:
Adverbs
Pertainym:
gentle (quiet and soothing)
Context examples:
Palu has sandy soil, but it's in a gently sloping valley that appeared to pose little risk.
(NASA Map Reveals a New Landslide Risk Factor, NASA)
Pandas have specific habitat needs—they live in gently sloping areas far from human populations.
(Belly up to the bamboo buffet: Pandas vs. horses, NSF)
He fell on his side, then gently collapsed upon his face and moved no more.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
“You can overshoot me,” said Johnston gently.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The road from Crawley curves gently upwards to the upland heather-clad plateau which extends for many miles in every direction.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Twelve o’clock had scarce rung out over London, ere the knocker sounded very gently on the door.
(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
It happened that as the horse was going a little too fast, and Tom was calling out, “Gently! gently!” two strangers came up.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
She came close to Dorothy and kissed her gently on the forehead.
(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)
Stanley Hopkins had laid his hand upon her arm and claimed her as his prisoner, but she waved him aside gently, and yet with an over-mastering dignity which compelled obedience.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
She looked at him gently, and he was a brute to oppose her.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
