polite Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
  2. adjective satellite marked by refinement in taste and manners
    civilised; cultured; civilized; genteel; cultivated.
    • cultivated speech
    • cultured Bostonians
    • cultured tastes
    • a genteel old lady
    • polite society
  3. adjective not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal) adherence to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy consideration for others
    civil.
    • even if he didn't like them he should have been civil"- W.S. Maugham

WordNet

Po*lite" adjective
Etymology
L. politus, p. p. of polire to polish: cf. F. poli. See Polish, v.
Wordforms
comparative Politer ; superlative Politest
Definitions
  1. Smooth; polished. Obs.
    Rays of light falling on a polite surface. Sir I. Newton.
  2. Smooth and refined in behavior or manners; well bred; courteous; complaisant; obliging; civil.
    He marries, bows at court, and grows polite. Pope.
  3. Characterized by refinement, or a high degree of finish; as, polite literature. Macaulay. Syn. -- Polished; refined; well bred; courteous; affable; urbane; civil; courtly; elegant; genteel.
Po*lite" transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To polish; to refine; to render polite. Obs. Ray.

Webster 1913