Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - gentlefolk

n.pl. literary people of good family. GENTLEMAN n. (pl. -men) 1 a man (in polite or formal use). 2 a chivalrous or well-bred man. 3 a man of good social position or of wealth and leisure (country gentleman). 4 a man of gentle birth attached to a royal household (gentleman in waiting). 5 (in pl. as a form of address) a male audience or the male part of an audience. Phrases and idioms gentleman-at-arms one of a sovereign's bodyguard. gentleman farmer a country gentleman who farms. gentleman's (or -men's) agreement one which is binding in honour but not legally enforceable. Etymology: GENTLE + MAN after OF gentilz hom