Gen"try (?), n. [OE. genterie, gentrie, noble birth, nobility, cf. gentrise, and OF. gentelise, genterise, E. gentilesse, also OE. genteleri high-mindedness. See Gent, a., Gentle, a.]
1.
Birth; condition; rank by birth.
[Obs.] "Pride of
gentrie."
Chaucer.
She conquers him by high almighty Jove,
By knighthood, gentry, and sweet friendship's oath.
Shak.
2.
People of education and good breeding; in England, in a restricted sense, those between the nobility and the yeomanry.
Macaulay.
3.
Courtesy; civility; complaisance.
[Obs.]
To show us so much gentry and good will.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.