gentry Definition

gentry
plural noun

1. People belonging to the class directly below the nobility.

Example: the landed gentry
Thesaurus: upper class, aristocracy, nobility, nobles, gentility, gentlefolk, elite, high society.
2. sometimes colloq
People (with their class or characteristics specified).
Example: ignorant gentry
Example: idle gentry

Etymology: 14c, meaning ‘high rank' or ‘good breeding': from French genterise nobility.