Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Gentry \Gen"try\, n. [OE. genterie, gentrie, noble birth,
   nobility, cf. gentrise, and OF. gentelise, genterise, E.
   gentilesse, also OE. genteleri high-mindedness. See {Gent},
   a., {Gentle}, a.]
   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.

Source : WordNet®

gentry
     n : the most powerful members of a society [syn: {aristocracy}]