2 entries under this word

Courtly

Court'ly, a.

adjective

a. [From court.]

  1. Relating to a court; court-like; high-bred; dignified and elegant. “In courtly company.” Shak.
  2. Disposed to favor the great; fawning; obsequious; flattering; sycophantic.

Officers . . . supposed to be in the interest of the crown, might, if not carefully observed, have furnished a courtly juryman with food which would have enabled him to starve out the other eleven. Macaulay. A jury, such as the courtly sheriffs of those days were in the habit of selecting. Macaulay.

Court'ly, adv.

adverb

In the manner of courts; elegantly; in a flattering manner.