Gentry

Part of speech: noun (n.)

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.