gent

The word "gent" is a 16th-century abbreviation of "gentleman". "Gentleman" itself originates from Old French "gentilz hom", meaning a man of noble birth or high social standing. The Old French "gentil" derives from Latin "gentilis", meaning "of the same clan or family", which in turn comes from "gens" (clan, race). Over centuries, the meaning shifted from purely hereditary status to emphasize the associated qualities of courteous and honorable behavior. The clipped form "gent" retains this core association with a man possessing refinement and good manners, though it is often used informally.

The word is a clipping of the longer word "gentleman". It is not productively formed from separate, meaningful morphemes in its current, shortened state.