genteelism en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree English genteel Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íd͏̌d͏̌ō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Indo-European *-mos Proto-Indo-European *-mós Ancient Greek -μός (-mós) Ancient Greek -ισμός (-ismós)der. English -ism English genteelism From genteel + -ism.
Meanings
- (countable, uncountable) Genteel behaviour.
-
(countable) A nicer word used instead of a vulgar or distasteful word
Were such cheerful genteelisms any use?
2004, Alan Hollinghurst, The Line of Beauty […], London: Picador, →ISBN:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| genteelisms | Number=Plur | lexicographic |