amenities

English

Etymology

From French aménité, from Latin amoenitās (“pleasantness, delightfulness”), from amoenus (“pleasant, delightful”).

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /əˈmɛn.ə.tiːz/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Noun

amenities

1. plural of amenity

Noun

amenities pl (plural only)

1. The quality of being pleasant or agreeable, whether in respect to situation, climate, manners, disposition etc.

   Synonyms: pleasantness, civility, suavity, gentleness

   • 1917, Arthur Conan Doyle, "His Last Bow":

     "I trust that you are as comfortable as circumstances permit," said Holmes when the final arrangements were made. "Should I be guilty of a liberty if I lit a cigar and placed it between your lips?"

     But all amenities were wasted upon the angry German.

   • 1934, Rex Stout, Fer-de-Lance, 1992 Bantam edition, →ISBN, page 24:

     When we got to Sullivan Street Mrs. Ricci was waiting in front with a glare in her eye that made me decide not to stop for any amenities.

References

• amenities at OneLook Dictionary Search
• amenities in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911