Docile, a.
Etymology: [L. docilis,fr. docere to teach; cf. Gr. discere to learn, Gr. docile. Cf. Doctor, Didactic, Disciple.]
1. Teachable; easy to teach; docible. [Obs.]
2. Disposed to be taught; tractable; easily managed; as, a docile child. The elephant is at once docible and docile. C. J. Smith.
Shades of meaning
One who is docile is easily taught; one who is tractable is easily led; one who is pliant is easily bent in any direction; compliant represents one as inclined or persuaded to agreement with another's will. Compare duty.