or cofe, subs. (old cant).—A gentleman; a NIB-COVE (q.v.). Fr., un messire de la haute.

1

  1567.  HARMAN, A Caveat or Warening for Common Cursetors, s.v.

2

  1656.  BROME, A Joviall Crew, Act ii.

        For all this bene Cribbing and Peck let us then,
Bowse a health to the GENTRY COFE of the Ken.

3

  1654.  Witt’s Recreations.

        As priest of the game,
And prelate of the same.
There’s a GENTRY COVE here.

4

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.

5

  1822.  SCOTT, The Fortunes of Nigel, ch. vi. Tout the bien mort twiring the GENTRY COVE!

6

  1837.  B. DISRAELI, Venetia, p. 71. The GENTRY COVE will be ramboyled by his dam.

7