courtesy

- 3 dictionary results

cour⋅te⋅sy

[kur-tuh-see or, for 5, kurt-see]

noun, plural -sies, adjective

–noun

1.	excellence of manners or social conduct; polite behavior.

2.	a courteous, respectful, or considerate act or expression.

3.	indulgence, consent, or acquiescence: a “colonel” by courtesy rather than by right.

4.	favor, help, or generosity: The costumes for the play were by courtesy of the local department store.

a curtsy.

–adjective

6.	done or performed as a matter of courtesy or protocol: a courtesy call on the mayor.

7.	offered or provided free by courtesy of the management: While waiting to board the airplane, we were provided with courtesy coffee.

Origin:
1175–1225; ME curteisie < AF, OF; see courteous, -y ³

Synonyms:
1. courteousness, civility, urbanity.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

cour·te·sy (kûr'tĭ-sē)

n. pl. cour·te·sies

1. Polite behavior.
2. A polite gesture or remark.
3. Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence: They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.
4. Willingness or generosity in providing something needed: free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.
1. Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence: They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.
2. Willingness or generosity in providing something needed: free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.

adj.

Given or done as a polite gesture: paid a courtesy visit to the new neighbors.
Free of charge: courtesy tickets for the reporters.

[Middle English courtesie, from Old French, from corteis, courtly; see courteous.]

Word Origin & History

courtesy

c.1225, from O.Fr. curtesie, from curteis "courteous," from curt "court" (see court). A specialized sense of curtesie is the source of Eng. curtsy.

Search another word or see courtesy on Thesaurus | Reference

About
·
Privacy Policy
·
Terms of Use
·
Careers
·
Advertise with Us
·
Link to Us
·
Contact Us

Partner Sites: