Definition of courtesy
courtesies
1a : behavior marked by polished manners or respect for others : courteous behaviorb : a courteous and respectful act or expression
2a : general allowance despite facts : indulgence hills called mountains by courtesy onlyb : consideration, cooperation, and generosity in providing something (such 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
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Examples of courtesy in a Sentence
Civilized life cannot be sustained without hypocrisy. A certain moral code, a degree of courtesy and decorum, are necessary to keep our instincts under a modicum of control. —Ian Buruma, New York Review of Books, 2 Nov. 2006
Cara, who, courtesy of the cat, had a run in her leggings, picked up the phone in a panic … —Helen Schulman, Wigwag, November 1990
“Coffee, sir?” asked a sailor. I nodded, still chilled. The courtesy, the ordinariness of these men was in the context somehow curious. —Fred Reed, Harper's, September 1988
I tried to persuade him that all that Hamish Hamilton had attempted to do was to extend the kind of courtesies which cultural institutions thought to be his due. —Isaiah Berlin, New York Times Book Review, 12 Apr. 1987
They treated us with courtesy and kindness.
She did it as a courtesy, not because she had to.
Everyone knows each other here, so we won't bother with the usual courtesies.
They shook hands and exchanged courtesies before beginning their discussion.
Origin and Etymology of courtesy
Middle English corteisie, from Anglo-French curteisie, from curteis —see courteous
First Known Use: 13th century
Definition of courtesy
: granted, provided, or performed as a courtesy or by way of courtesy (see 1courtesy) made a courtesy call on the ambassador
Examples of courtesy in a Sentence
As the heir to an earldom, Stephen was obliged to pay a courtesy call on the British ambassador … —Ken Follett, The Man from St. Petersburg, 1982
Important visitors to the conference were provided with courtesy cars.
Origin and Etymology of courtesy
see 1courtesy
First Known Use: 1613
COURTESY Defined for English Language Learners
courtesy
playDefinition of courtesy for English Language Learners
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: polite behavior that shows respect for other people
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: something that you do because it is polite, kind, etc.
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: something that you say to be polite especially when you meet someone
courtesy
playDefinition of courtesy for English Language Learners
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: done in order to be polite
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: provided for free
COURTESY Defined for Kids
courtesy
playDefinition of courtesy for Students
courtesies
1 : the quality or state of being respectful and considerate of others
2 : a polite or generous act or expression Hot meals were served through the courtesy of volunteers.
3 : something that is a favor and not a right Transportation is provided as a courtesy of the hotel.
Learn More about courtesy
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for courtesy Spanish Central: Translation of courtesy Nglish: Translation of courtesy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of courtesy for Arabic speakers
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