Genteel, a.
Etymology: [F. gentil noble, pretty, graceful. See Gentle.]
1. Possessing or exhibiting the qualities popularly regarded as belonging to high birth and breeding; free from vulgarity, or lowness of taste or behavior; adapted to a refined or cultivated taste; polite; well-bred; as, genteel company, manners, address.
2. Graceful in mien or form; elegant in appearance, dress, or manner; as, the lady has a genteel person. Law.
3. Suited to the position of lady or a gentleman; as, to live in a genteel allowance.
Syn. -- Polite; well-bred; refined; polished.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for genteel; he lists it under polite.
Where he writes about it:
Genteel refers to an external elegance, which may be showy and superficial, and the word is thus inferior to polite or courteous. — from polite