Courtesy | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Cōurt'e-sy, n.

noun

(kurt'e-sŷ), n. [Fr. courtoisie, Sp. & It. cortesia, Pr. & Pg. cortezia, from Fr. courtois, &c. See COURTEOUS.]

Sense 1. Elegance and politeness of manners; civility; complaisance.

Shepherd, I take thy word, And trust thy honest offered courtesy, Which oft is sooner found in lowly sheds With smoky rafters, than in tapestry walls And courts of princes where it first was named, And yet is most pretended. Milton.

Sense 2. An act of civility or respect; an act of kindness or favor performed with politeness.

My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you. Shak.

Sense 3. Favor or indulgence, as distinguished from right.

Synonyms—Politeness; urbanity; civility; complaisance; condescension; affability; courteousness; elegance; good-breeding. See POLITENESS.

Cōurt'e'sy, n.

noun

(kūrt'sy), n. A slight depression or dropping of the body, with bending of the knees, being the usual gesture of obedience, respect, or civility formerly performed by women. The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual. Goldsmith.

Cōurt'e'sy, v. i.

verbintransitive

(kūrt'sŷ), v. i. [imp. & p. p. COURTE-SIED; m. pr. & vb. n. COURTESYING.] To bow the body slightly, with bending of the knees, as an expression of civility.

☞ This word was formerly used with reference to both sexes, but afterward was applied only to the acts of reverence or civility performed by women. The courtesy as an act of respect or civility has become obsolete, or nearly so.

Coûrte'sy, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To treat with civility. [Obs.]