comity

English

Etymology

From Latin comitas, from comis (“courteous”)

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkɒmɪti/
• Homophone: comedy (in accents with flapping)

Noun

comity (plural comities)

1. Courtesy and considerate behaviour towards others; social harmony.
   • 1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, Abacus 2010, p. 96:

     There, I saw not only flare-ups of ethnic animosity, but the comity that was also possible among men of different backgrounds.

2. Friendly understanding and mutual recognition between two entities, especially nations.
   • Houston Chronicle

     Democrats took control of the House and Senate after 12 years of nearly unbroken Republican rule, with resolute calls for bipartisan comity and a pledge to move quickly on an agenda of health care, homeland security, education and energy proposals.

Synonyms

• frith