kind
Language: English
Part of speech: adj
Pronunciation: enpr: kīnd
ipa: /kaɪnd/
rhymes: -aɪnd
Forms: form: kinder
form: kindest
form: kinde
Etymology: From Middle English kynde, kinde, from Old English cynde, ġecynde (“innate, natural, native”), from Old English cynd, ġecynd (“nature, kind”).
Senses: examples: text: Some ſay that Rauens foſter forlorne children, / The vvhilſt their ovvne birds famiſh in their neſts: / Oh be to me though thy hard hart ſay no, / Nothing ſo kinde but ſomething pittifull.
ref: c. 1588–1593 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The Most Lamentable Romaine Tragedie of Titus Andronicus: […] (First Quarto), London: […] Iohn Danter, and are to be sold by Edward White & Thomas Millington, […], published 1594, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii], signature D3, verso:
glosses: Having a benevolent, courteous, friendly, generous, gentle, liberal, sympathetic, or warm-hearted nature or disposition, marked by consideration for – and service to – others.
examples: text: a kind man; a kind heart
text: Yet was he kind, or if severe in aught, / The love he bore to learning was in fault.
ref: 1770, [Oliver] Goldsmith, The Deserted Village, a Poem, London: […] W[illiam] Griffin, […], →OCLC:
glosses: Affectionate.
examples: text: Thy words aſſure me of kind ſucceſſe: / Go valiant Souldier, go before and charge / The fainting army of that foolish King.
ref: c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene iii:
glosses: Favorable.
examples: text: The years have been kind to Richard Gere; he ages well.
glosses: Mild, gentle, forgiving
examples: text: a horse kind in harness
glosses: Gentle; tractable; easily governed.
examples: text: it becommeth sweeter than it should be, and loseth the kind tast.
ref: 1601, C[aius] Plinius Secundus [i.e., Pliny the Elder], “(please specify |book=I to XXXVII)”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Historie of the World. Commonly Called, The Naturall Historie of C. Plinius Secundus. […], (please specify |tome=1 or 2), London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC:
glosses: Characteristic of the species; belonging to one's nature; natural; native.
Derived terms: sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: be cruel to be kind
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: be kind, rewind
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: kindful
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: kindhearted
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: kindish
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: kindless
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: kindly
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: kindness
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: kind regards
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: kindship
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: kindsome
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: overkind
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: unkind
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: would you be so kind as to
sense: terms derived from kind (adjective)
word: you get more with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone