Definitions for: Courtesy


[n] a courteous or respectful or considerate act
[n] a courteous manner
[n] a courteous or respectful or considerate remark



Webster (1913) Definition: Cour"te*sy (k?r"t?-s?), n.; pl. Courtesies (-s?z).
[OE. cortaisie, corteisie, courtesie, OF. curteisie,
cortoisie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, F. courtoisie, fr.
curteis, corteis. See Courteous.]
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.

Courtesy title, a title assumed by a person, or popularly
conceded to him, to which he has no valid claim; as, the
courtesy title of Lord prefixed to the names of the
younger sons of noblemen.

Syn: Politiness; urbanity; civility; complaisance;
affability; courteousness; elegance; refinement;
courtliness; good breeding. See Politeness.


Courte"sy (k[^u]rt"s[y^]), n. [See the preceding
word.]
An act of civility, respect, or reverence, made by women,
consisting of a slight depression or dropping of the body,
with bending of the knees. [Written also curtsy.]

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


Courte"sy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Courtesied
(-s[i^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Courtesying.]
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, v. t.
To treat with civility. [Obs.]

Synonyms: good manners

Antonyms: discourtesy, rudeness

See Also: attention, chivalry, civility, civility, comment, deference, gallantry, gallantry, graciousness, manner, niceness, personal manner, politeness, politeness, politesse, remark, respect, respectfulness, urbanity

 Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
animals starting with c
animals begin with y