adjective
docile
DAH-sul/ˈdɑːsl/
Willing to be guided, taught, or controlled.
The docile pony follows its handler willingly on a slack rope.
Etymology
Latin docilis described someone easily taught or quick to learn. That readiness to learn broadened into readiness to follow direction, giving the sense of being obedient or easily managed.
In context
political absolutism and he saw that an official religion could be made an extremely useful instrument not only for helping him on in that purpose but also for keeping people docile under absolutism
More examples
- We need a docile dog that responds well to training.
- The manager expects a docile staff that never questions her decisions.
- These sheep are more docile and easier to handle.
Forms
docile · more docile · most docile
docility noun — Willingness to accept guidance or control.
Similar words
- compliant
- Emphasizes agreeing to requests or rules rather than accepting guidance.
- obedient
- Emphasizes following commands rather than being generally easy to guide.