To make someone behave like a gentleman; to cause someone to acquire the refined manners and courteous behavior associated with gentlemen.
From 'gentleman' + '-ize' (to cause to become), creating a verb describing the process of socializing or educating someone to meet standards of gentlemanly conduct.
This verb embodies a distinctly historical anxiety: that gentlemanly behavior could be *taught* and *learned*, which meant anyone with enough time, money, and determination could access upper-class status.
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