Main Entry: ¹cour·te·sy

Pronunciation: \ˈkər-tə-sē, British also ˈkȯr-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural cour·te·sies

Etymology: Middle English corteisie, from Anglo-French curteisie, from curteis

Date: 13th century

1 a : courteous behavior b : a courteous act or expression
2 a : general allowance despite facts : indulgence <hills called mountains by courtesy only> b : consideration, cooperation, and generosity in providing something (as a gift or privilege); also : agency, means —used chiefly in the phrases through the courtesy of or by courtesy of or sometimes simply courtesy of