courtesy

  • 1courtesy — [kʉrt′ə sē; ] for 4 [, kʉrt′sē] n. pl. courtesies [ME courteisie < OFr curteisie: see COURTEOUS] 1. courteous behavior; gracious politeness 2. a polite, helpful, or considerate act or remark 3. an act or usage intended to honor or compliment… …

    English World dictionary

  • 2Courtesy — 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.… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3Courtesy — comes from old french courteis (12th century) is gentle politeness and courtly manners. In the Middle Ages in Europe, the behaviour expected of the gentry was compiled in courtesy books. One of the most influential of these was Il Cortegiano (The …

    Wikipedia

  • 4courtesy — courtesy, amenity, attention, gallantry are comparable when they denote a manner or an act which promotes agreeable or pleasant social relations. Courtesy suggests consideration for others or deference (as to their rank, sex, or age); it usually… …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 5courtesy — ► NOUN (pl. courtesies) 1) courteous behaviour. 2) a polite speech or action, especially one required by convention. ● (by) courtesy of Cf. ↑courtesy of …

    English terms dictionary

  • 6Courtesy — 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} and {curtsey}.] [1913… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 7courtesy — [n1] good manners address, affability, amenities, amiability, attentiveness, ceremony, chivalry, civility, comity, complaisance, consideration, cordiality, courteousness, courtliness, cultivation, culture, deference, elegance, familiarity, favor …

    New thesaurus

  • 8Courtesy — 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. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 9Courtesy — Courte sy, v. t. To treat with civility. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 10courtesy — I noun affability, amenity, amiability, chivalry, civility, comitas, comity, complaisance, consideration, cordiality, courteous conduct, courteousness, courtliness, deference, elegance of manners, etiquette, excellence of behavior, friendliness,… …

    Law dictionary