gentility

gentility
    n 1: elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression
         [syn: {breeding}, {genteelness}, {gentility}]
    

Gentility \Gen*til"i*ty\, n. [L. gentilitas the relationship of
   those who belong to the same clan, also, heathenism: cf. F.
   gentilit['e] heathenism. See {Gentile}.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. Good extraction; dignity of birth. --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]

            He . . . mines my gentility with my education.
                                                  --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. 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.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. The class in society who are, or are expected to be,
      genteel; the gentry. [R.] --Sir J. Davies.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Paganism; heathenism. [Obs.] --Hooker.
      [1913 Webster]
    

49 Moby Thesaurus words for "gentility":
      ancestry, appropriateness, aristocracy, aristocraticalness,
      becomingness, birth, blood, blue blood, breeding, civility,
      cultivation, culture, decency, decorousness, decorum, distinction,
      elegance, elite, felicity, fitness, fittingness, flower,
      genteelness, gentlemanlikeness, gentlemanliness, gentleness,
      gentry, good breeding, happiness, honorable descent, ladylikeness,
      meetness, nobility, noble birth, nobleness, polish, properness,
      propriety, quality, rank, refinement, rightness, royalty,
      seemliness, society, suitability, upper class, upper crust,
      urbanity