gentility
Noun
Meaning
Good extraction; dignity of birth.
The quality or qualities appropriate to those who are well born, as self-respect, dignity, courage, courtesy, politeness of manner, a graceful and easy mien and behavior, etc.; good breeding.
The class in society who are, or are expected to be, genteel; the gentry.
Paganism; heathenism.
Source: Webster's dictionarySynonyms
Antonyms
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Examples
In [The New Poetry] I had attacked the British poets' nervous preference for gentility above all else, and their avoidance of the uncomfortable, destructive truths both of the inner life and of the present time.
The over-bearing insolence of ignorant men, who had arisen to sudden wealth by successful gambling, made men of true gentility of mind and manners blush that gold should have power to raise the unworthy in the scale of society.
Fashion is gentility running away from vulgarity, and afraid of being overtaken by it.
What a strange page in human history is that of social distinction; no people so savage but they have a sort of fashion. Even among the wild people in whose country I am now writing, there are all the small distinctions of small gentility - for example, it is not "comme il faut to wear silk."
Gentility is what is left over from rich ancestors after the money is gone.
Fashion is gentility running away from vulgarity and afraid of being overtaken.