courtesy Meaning, Definition & Usage

Cour"te*sy noun

Etymology

OE. cortaisie, corteisie, courtesie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, F. courtoisie, fr. curteis, corteis. See Courteous.

Wordforms

plural Courtesies

Definitions

1. Politeness; civility; urbanity; courtliness.

   And trust thy honest-offered courtesy, With oft is sooner found in lowly sheds, With smoky rafters, than in tapestry walls And courts of princes, where it first was named, And yet is most pretended. Milton.

   Pardon me, Messer Claudio, if once more I use the ancient courtesies of speech. Longfellow.

2. An act of civility or respect; an act of kindness or favor performed with politeness.

   My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you. Shak.

3. Favor or indulgence, as distinguished from right; as, a title given one by courtesy. Syn. -- Politiness; urbanity; civility; complaisance; affability; courteousness; elegance; refinement; courtliness; good breeding. See Politeness.

Courte"sy noun

Etymology

See the preceding word.

Definitions

1. An act of civility, respect, or reverence, made by women, consisting of a slight depression or dropping of the body, with bending of the kness. Written also curtsy.

   The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual. Golgsmith.

Courte"sy intransitive verb

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Courtesied present participle & verbal noun Courtesyng

Definitions

1. To make a respectful salutation or movement of respect; esp. (with reference to women), to bow the body slightly, with bending of the knes.

Courte"sy transitive verb

Definitions

1. To treat with civility. Obs.