docileadj.
/ˈdəʊsʌɪl/, /ˈdɒsɪl/, U.S. /ˈdɑsəl/ 1.
a. Apt to be taught; ready and willing to receive instruction; teachable.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > learning > learner > qualities of learners > [adjective] > teachable
disciplinablec1454
appliant1483
docile1483
teachable1483
towardly1528
docible1549
schoolable1594
instructable1603
disciplinala1628
instructible1645
educable1834
educationable1852
educatable1868
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 71 b/2 Gyue to me thy seruaunt a herte docyle.
1584 King James VI & I Ess. Prentise Poesie sig. Kij The cause why (docile Reader) I haue not dedicat this short treatise [etc.].
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1958) IX. 173 A Parrot, or a Stare, docile Birds, and of pregnant imitation.
a1637 B. Jonson tr. Horace Art of Poetrie 480 in Wks. (1640) III The docill mind may soon thy precepts know.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 147. ⁋3 Flattering comparisons of my own proficiency with that of others..less docile by nature.
1845 S. Austin tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Reformation in Germany III. 495 His docile and intelligent pupil.
b. Submissive to training; tractable, manageable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > convenience > [adjective] > easily managed
handsome1440
wieldya1450
maniable1484
willing?a1513
tractable1555
wieldsome1565
manuable1594
manageable1598
handleable1611
subject1619
manuala1631
handy1640
flippant1677
wieldablea1688
clever1715
able1741
habile1741
docile1774
sweet1883
hand-tame1911
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth III. 21 The bison breed is also more expert and docile than ours.
1835 A. Ure Philos. Manuf. 150 This..work..is now discharged by young children..substituting cheap and docile labour for what is dear, and sometimes refractory.
1891 E. Peacock Narcissa Brendon II. 78 The docile wife would obey without a murmur.
c. Const. to, or infinitive. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > manageability > [adjective] > tractable
beisuma1225
treatable1303
waldinc1485
tractable?1504
towardly1513
obsequent1520
conformable1547
unwilful1570
sonsya1622
ductile1622
obedible1622
ductible1623
unobstinate1632
ducible1633
docile1647
fictile1676
amenable1680
tawie1786
trottya1913
1647 R. Stapleton tr. Juvenal Sixteen Satyrs xiv. 255 To fall Into foule vices we are docill all.
1718 M. Prior Solomon on Vanity iii, in Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 491 Soon docile to the secret acts of ill With smiles I would betray.
1858 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia II. ix. i. 387 I am docile to follow your advice.
2. transferred of things: Yielding readily to treatment; easily managed or dealt with; tractable.
ΚΠ
1706 J. Gardiner tr. R. Rapin Of Gardens ii. 87 For docil Cypresses dispos'd with Ease,..More sweetly bound a Plain than all their Kindred Trees.
1881 P. Brooks Candle of Lord 1 The docile wax acknowledges that the subtle flame is its master.
1884 L. Hamilton Mexican Hand-bk. 95 The ores are docile and contain ruby-silver and sub-sulphides.
Derivatives
ˈdocilely adv.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > manageability > [adverb] > tractably
tractably1611
ductilelya1631
towardly1704
docilely1868
1868 W. Lockyer & J. N. Lockyer tr. A. Guillemin Heavens (ed. 3) 40 The Sun..now tells his own story..so docilely.
1876 T. Hardy Hand of Ethelberta I. vi. 68 ‘Thank you,’ said Picotee, docilely.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1483