amenities

English

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] French aménité, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin amoenitās (“pleasantness, delightfulness”), from amoenus (“pleasant, delightful”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /əˈmɛn.ə.tiːz/

• Audio (UK):

  (file)

Noun

amenities

1. plural of amenity
2. (plural only) The quality of being pleasant or agreeable, whether in respect to situation, climate, manners, or disposition; 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”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
• “amenities”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.