In a soft, careful, or mild way, without force or harshness.
From *gentle* meaning “mild, kind” + *-ly*, originally linked to nobility of birth. As *gentle* shifted from “noble-born” to “mild in nature,” *gently* came to describe soft actions and tones. It now focuses on how something is done, not social status.
When you do something ‘gently,’ you’re acting the way old aristocrats were supposed to: controlled, calm, never rough. The word wraps physical softness and emotional kindness into one idea — a reminder that power doesn’t have to be loud.
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