courtesy
English
/ˈkɜːtəsi/, /ˈkɝtəsi/
noun
Definitions
- (uncountable) Polite behavior.
- (countable) A polite gesture or remark, especially as opposed to an obligation or standard practice.
- (uncountable) Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence.
- (uncountable) Willingness or generosity in providing something needed.
- A curtsey.
- (legal) The life interest that the surviving husband has in the real or heritable estate of his wife.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English curtesie derived from curtesie derived from Old French curteisie.
Origin
Old French
curteisie
Gloss
Timeline
Distribution of cognates by language
Geogrpahic distribution of cognates
Cognates and derived terms
- discourtesy English
- kill English
- kill-courtesy English
- uncourtesy English
- curtesie Middle English
- curteis Old French
- curteisie Old French
- kurteisi Icelandic
- curtesie xno