Courtesy

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkɜːtəsi/

Definitions

1. The showing of polite behavior and respectful manners ; an act done as a polite gesture or favor to someone
2. Behavior demonstrating respect and consideration for others ; a kind or thoughtful gesture done out of politeness
3. The practice of being polite and civil in interactions ; a helpful or polite action performed for another person

Etymology: The most surprising thing about "courtesy" is how little it has to do with actual courts, at least on the surface. Its roots run through the word "court" in the sense of a royal household, the place where people were expected to learn refined manners. Courtly behavior, the polished conduct of people who lived near a lord or king, was the original idea, and the word came to name the good manners that such a setting demanded. The path into English went through French. Old French had "curteisie" and "cortoisie," formed from "cortois," meaning courtly or refined, and these were taken into Middle English as "curteisie" and "curtesie," with Anglo-Norman serving as the intermediate stage. The English word is therefore built on "courteous," with the abstract noun suffix "-y" attached, so the same courtly foundation sits underneath both. The "court" that appears in the spelling is a surface resemblance. The word is not directly built from "court" plus a separate ending, though the connection to royal courts in its meaning is genuine.

Synonyms: politeness, respect, graciousness, civilty, consideration

Antonyms: rudeness, discourtesy, impoliteness