courtesy

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Contents

English [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Middle English curtesie, from Anglo-Norman curtesie, from Anglo-Norman curteis (“courteous”), from Old French cortois (“courteous”), from Latin cortensis (“related to the court”). [1][2]

Pronunciation [edit]

  • Audio (US)
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Noun [edit]

courtesy (countable and uncountable; plural courtesies)

  1. (uncountable) Polite behavior.
    Please extend them the courtesy of your presence.
  2. (countable) A polite gesture or remark.
    I offered them a ride simply as a courtesy.
  3. (uncountable) Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence.
    They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.
  4. (uncountable) Willingness or generosity in providing something needed.
    They received free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.
  5. A curtsey.
    • Goldsmith
      The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual.

Translations [edit]

polite behavior
polite gesture or remark
consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence
willingness or generosity in providing something needed

Verb [edit]

courtesy (third-person singular simple present courtesies, present participle courtesying, simple past and past participle courtesied)

  1. Alternative form of curtsey.

Adjective [edit]

courtesy (no comparative or superlative; used only before the noun)

  1. Given or done as a polite gesture.
    We paid a courtesy visit to the new neighbors.
  2. Free of charge.
    The event planners offered courtesy tickets for the reporters.

Translations [edit]

given or done as a polite gesture

Synonyms [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ The concise dictionary of English etymology, p. 97
  2. ^ Online Etymology Dictionary
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