Urbanities

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The attributes and aspects tied to life in a city setting
2. Refined social skills and cultivated behavior ; features distinctive to metropolitan living
3. The display of elegance and courteousness in social interactions ; qualities typical of urban environments and lifestyles

Etymology: "Urbanities" is the plural of "urbanity," and the singular has a surprising trail: it begins with the city itself. Latin "urbs" meant "city," and "urbanus" meant "belonging to a city." Roman writers gave the adjective a social sense, so that it described someone with the manners of townspeople, which were considered more polished than those of the countryside. That refinement carried over into English through Middle French "urbanité" and Middle English "urbanitie." Over time the word narrowed from the idea of being a city dweller to the smoothness of conduct that was expected in polite society. The plural form usually refers to individual displays of that polish, such as courteous remarks or graceful gestures in company.

Synonyms: civility, sophistication

Antonyms: rudeness, boorishness