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View synonyms for politesse

politesse

[ pol-i-tes; French paw-lee-tes ]

noun

  1. formal politeness; courtesy.


politesse

/ ˌpɒlɪˈtɛs /

noun

  1. formal or genteel politeness


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Word History and Origins

Origin of politesse1

1710–20; < French: originally clean or polished state < Italian politezza, variant of pulitezza (derivative of polito polite )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of politesse1

C18: via French from Italian politezza, ultimately from Latin polīre to polish

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Example Sentences

All weekend reporters in eastern Ukraine were walking a bizarre tightrope, of prurience, politesse, and ghoulishness.

Or will an uneasy impulse to politesse, and fear of unknown consequences, restrain them?

Now the Parisian public transport authority, the RATP, is trying to solve this problem of politesse.

And perhaps most important, to deflect criticism and mollify opponents with politesse and wit.

Polite′ness, state or quality of being polite: refinement of manners: good-breeding; Politesse′, politeness.

He complained that Gothic art fit la politesse une mortelle guerre.

Of course I remained silent, whereupon “la politesse” vanished and an angry Hun took its place.

This was an apology made with all the politesse of a Gaul, and by a great statesman who had recovered his senses.

Aussi à part les indispensables formules de politesse, il parlait peu.

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politelyPolitian