com·i·ty   (kŏm'ĭ-tē)    n.   pl. com·i·ties An atmosphere of social harmony. See comity of nations. The principle by which the courts of one jurisdiction may accede or give effect to the laws or decisions of another. [Latin cōmitās, from cōmis, friendly; see smei- in Indo-European roots.]

Main Entry:	comity
Part of Speech:	n
Definition:	a state of mutual harmony, friendship, and respect, esp. between or among nations or people; civility
Etymology:	Latin comis 'courteous, friendly'

Comity

Com"i*ty\, n.; pl. Comities. [L. comitas, fr. comis courteous, kind.] Mildness and suavity of manners; courtesy between equals; friendly civility; as, comity of manners; the comity of States.

Comity of nations (International Law), the courtesy by which nations recognize within their own territory, or in their courts, the peculiar institutions of another nation or the rights and privileges acquired by its citizens in their own land. By some authorities private international law rests on this comity, but the better opinion is that it is part of the common law of the land, and hence is obligatory as law.

Syn: Civility; good breeding; courtesy; good will.

Main Entry: co·mi·ty
Pronunciation: 'kä-m&-tE, 'kO-
Function: noun
1 : COMITY OF NATIONS
2 : the informal and voluntary recognition by courts of one jurisdiction of the laws and judicial decisions of another called also judicial comity —compare CHOICE OF LAW, FEDERALISM, FULL FAITH AND CREDIT