docile

Docile is an adjective describing someone or something that is easily managed, trained, or taught. It denotes readiness to accept instruction, compliance with guidance, and a gentle demeanor. The term can apply to animals that readily respond to human handlers, as well as to people who are cooperative or mild-tempered. In everyday use, docile may carry a neutral or positive sense when referring to ease of management, but it can imply passivity or lack of initiative if applied to individuals or groups.

Etymology: from Latin docilis 'teachable', from docere 'to teach'. The form entered English in the late Middle Ages and has remained common in both scientific and literary usage.

Usage: In animal husbandry and pet care, docility is often valued as a trait that facilitates training and handling. In human contexts, docility can reflect social conditioning or temperament; it is not synonymous with intelligence or virtue, and excessive emphasis on docility can be criticized as suppression of autonomy. The nuance matters: a truly docile animal or person may listen and respond, while an overly passive one may resist or fail to act in challenging situations.

See also: docility, domestication, tameness, trainability, obedience.