gentleness

1 the property possessed by a slope that is very gradual [syn: gradualness] [ant: abruptness]

2 mildness of manner or disposition

English

Noun

1. The state of being gentle.

Gentleness is a value and quality in one's character. Being gentle has a long history in many, but not all cultures.

Understandably, in times of war, gentleness may be inappropriate, but when the combatants are mismatched, then the stronger can afford magnanimity toward the weaker, in the sense of fair play. In this way, it is possible to minimize collateral damage.

Gentleness can be viewed as a refinement of character; in difficult times, a thoughtful approach can serve as a model for others; when one thinks only of oneself, and not also of others, then it is easy to hurt others unintentionally.

abnegation, abstinence, acceptance, affability, airiness, amiability, ascent, bleeding heart, bonhomie, bowels of compassion, breeding, bubbliness, buoyancy, calm, calmness, clemency, clementness, compassion, compassionateness, conservatism, constraint, continence, control, cool, cordiality, cultivation, culture, daintiness, decrescendo, delicacy, dimness, dispassion, dovelikeness, downiness, easiness, easygoingness, elegance, ethereality, evenness, faintness, featheriness, feebleness, flatness, floatability, flossiness, fluffiness, foaminess, fondness, forbearance, forbearing, frothiness, geniality, genteelness, gentility, gentlemanlikeness, gentlemanliness, golden mean, good breeding, good disposition, good humor, good nature, good temper, goodnaturedness, goodtemperedness, gossameriness, happy medium, humaneness, humanity, humility, impartiality, indistinctness, insolidity, judiciousness, juste-milieu, lack of weight, ladylikeness, lamblikeness, laxness, lenience, leniency, lenientness, lenity, levitation, levity, lightness, lowness, meden agan, meekness, mellowness, mercifulness, mercy, middle way, mildness, moderateness, moderation, moderationism, morbidezza, neutrality, nonresistiveness, nonrigidity, nonviolence, nothing in excess, pacifism, patience, peaceableness, pity, plushiness, polish, prudence, pulpiness, quietness, refinement, repose, restraint, ruthfulness, satininess, self-abnegation, self-control, self-denial, self-restraint, serenity, silkiness, sobriety, softheartedness, softness, sponginess, stability, steadiness, subaudibility, subduedness, sweetness, tameness, temperance, temperateness, tender feeling, tenderheartedness, tenderness, tolerance, tranquillity, unclearness, unexcessiveness, unextravagance, unextremeness, unheaviness, unsolidity, velvetiness, via media, volatility, warm heart, warmheartedness, weakness, weightlessness, yeastiness