The original meaning of docile is more to the point: "readily absorbing something taught." "The docile mind may soon thy precepts know," rendered Ben Jonson, for example, in a 17th-century translation.

DOCILE definition: 1. quiet and easy to influence, persuade, or control: 2. quiet and easy to influence, persuade, or. Learn more.

DOCILE definition: easily managed or handled; tractable. See examples of docile used in a sentence.

Understanding the Context

Define docile. docile synonyms, docile pronunciation, docile translation, English dictionary definition of docile. adj. 1. Ready and willing to be taught; teachable.

Adjective docile (comparative more docile, superlative most docile) Ready to accept instruction or direction; obedient; subservient.

Definition of docile adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

A person or animal that is docile is quiet, not aggressive, and easily controlled. ...docile, obedient children. They wanted a low-cost, docile workforce.

Key Insights

docile, adj. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

'docile' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations): biddable - lapdog - amenable - dutiful - froward - gentle - headstrong - ile- - indocile - intractable - meek - obedient -.

Origin of Docile Latin docilis from docre to teach dek- in Indo-European roots From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition From Middle French docile, from Latin docilis, from.