Courtesy

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: cour=te=sy

CIDE DICTIONARY

Courtesy, n. [OE. cortaisie, corteisie, courtesie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, F. courtoisie, fr. curteis, corteis. See Courteous.].

•  Politeness; civility; urbanity; courtliness.  [1913 Webster]

  "And trust thy honest-offered courtesy,
  With oft is sooner found in lowly sheds,
  With smoky rafters, than in tapestry walls
  And courts of princes, where it first was named,
  And yet is most pretended."  [1913 Webster]

  "Pardon me, Messer Claudio, if once more
  I use the ancient courtesies of speech."  [1913 Webster]
•  An act of civility or respect; an act of kindness or favor performed with politeness.  [1913 Webster]

  "My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you."  [1913 Webster]
•  Favor or indulgence, as distinguished from right; as, a title given one by courtesy.  [1913 Webster]

Courtesy title, a title assumed by a person, or popularly conceded to him, to which he has no valid claim; as, the courtesy title of Lord prefixed to the names of the younger sons of noblemen.

Syn. -- Politeness; urbanity; civility; complaisance; affability; courteousness; elegance; refinement; courtliness; good breeding. See Politeness.

Courtesy, n. [See the preceding word.].

 An act of civility, respect, or reverence, made by women, consisting of a slight depression or dropping of the body, with bending of the knees.  [1913 Webster]
"The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual."  [1913 Webster]

Courtesy, v. i. 

 To make a respectful salutation or movement of respect; esp. (with reference to women), to bow the body slightly, with bending of the knes.  [1913 Webster]

Courtesy, v. t. 

 To treat with civility.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Courtesy, n. (pl. -ies)
1 courteous behaviour; good manners.
2 a courteous act.
3 archaic = CURTSY.

Idiom

by courtesy by favour, not by right. by courtesy of with the formal permission of (a person etc.). courtesy light a light in a car that is switched on by opening a door. courtesy title a title held by courtesy, usu. having no legal validity, e.g. a title given to the heir of a duke etc.

Etymology

ME f. OF curtesie, co(u)rtesie f. curteis etc. COURTEOUS

THESAURUS

Courtesy

act of courtesy, act of grace, act of kindness, admiration, adoration, affability, amenity, amiability, apotheosis, appreciation, approbation, approval, attention, attentiveness, awe, benefaction, benefit, benevolence, benignity, blessing, breathless adoration, ceremony, chivalry, civility, clubbability, clubbishness, clubbism, comity, communicativeness, companionability, compatibility, complaisance, congeniality, considerateness, consideration, cordiality, correct deportment, courteousness, courtliness, deference, deification, discourtesy, dispensation, duty, elegance, esteem, estimation, etiquette, exaggerated respect, familiarity, favor, fondness for society, formality, friendliness, gallantry, geniality, good behavior, good citizenship, good deed, good manners, good offices, good turn, grace, graceful gesture, graciousness, great respect, gregariousness, hero worship, high regard, homage, honor, hospitality, idolatry, idolization, indulgence, intimacy, kind deed, kind offices, kindly act, kindness, labor of love, mercy, misbehavior, mitzvah, obligation, office, polite act, politeness, politesse, poor behavior, prestige, regard, respect, respectfulness, reverence, reverential regard, sanctioned behavior, service, sociability, sociableness, social grace, sociality, thoughtfulness, turn, urbanity, veneration, worship

ROGET THESAURUS

Courtesy

Submission

N submission, yielding, nonresistance, obedience, surrender, cession, capitulation, resignation, backdown, obeisance, homage, kneeling, genuflexion, courtesy, curtsy, kowtow, prostration, surrendering, submissive, resigned, crouching, downtrodden, down on one's marrow bones, on one's bended knee, unresistant, unresisting, nonresisting, pliant, undefended, untenable, indefensible, humble, have it your own way, it can't be helped, amen, da locum melioribus, tempori parendum.

VB succumb, submit, yeild, bend, resign, defer to, lay down one's arms, deliver up one's arms, lower colors, haul down colors, strike one's flag, strike colors, surrender, surrender at discretion, cede, capitulate, come to terms, retreat, beat a retreat, draw in one's horns, give way, give round, give in, give up, cave in, suffer judgment by default, bend, bend to one's yoke, bend before the storm, reel back, bend down, knuckle down, knuckle to, knuckle under, knock under, eat dirt, eat the leek, eat humble pie, bite the dust, lick the dust, be at one's feet, fall at one's feet, craven, crouch before, throw oneself at the feet of, swallow the leek, swallow the pill, kiss the rod, turn the other cheek, avaler les couleuvres, gulp down, obey, kneel to, bow to, pay homage to, cringe to, truckle to, bend the neck, bend the knee, kneel, fall on one's knees, bow submission, courtesy, curtsy, kowtow, pocket the affront, make the best of, make a virtue of necessity, grin and abide, grin and bear it, shrug the shoulders, resign oneself, submit with a good grace.

Courtesy

N courtesy, respect, good manners, good behavior, good breeding, manners, politeness, bienseance, urbanity, comity, gentility, breeding, polish, presence, civility, civilization, amenity, suavity, good temper, good humor, amiability, easy temper, complacency, soft tongue, mansuetude, condescension, affability, complaisance, pr_evenance, amability, gallantry, pink of politeness, pink of courtesy, compliment, fair words, soft words, sweet words, honeyed phrases, ceremonial salutation, reception, presentation, introduction, accueil, greeting, recognition, welcome, abord, respects, devoir, regards, remembrances, kind regards, kind remembrances, love, best love, duty, empty encomium, flattering remark, hollow commendation, salaams, obeisance, bow, courtesy, curtsy, scrape, salaam, kotow, kowtow, bowing and scraping, kneeling, genuflection, obsequiousness, capping, shaking hands grip of the hand, embrace, hug, squeeze, accolade, loving cup, vin d'honneur, pledge, love token, kiss, buss, salute, mark of recognition, nod, nods and becks and wreathed smiles, valediction, condolence, courteous, polite, civil, mannerly, urbane, well-behaved, well- mannered, well-bred, well-brought up, good-mannered, polished, civilized, cultivated, refined, gentlemanlike, gallant, on one's good behavior, fine spoken, fair spoken, soft-spoken, honey-mouthed, honey- tongued, oily, bland, obliging, conciliatory, complaisant, complacent, obsequious, ingratiating, winning, gentle, mild, good-humored, cordial, gracious, affable, familiar, neighborly, diplomatic, tactful, politic, artful, courteously, with a good grace, with open arms, with outstretched arms, a bras ouverts, suaviter in modo, in good humor, Int, hail!, welcome!, well met!, ave!, all hail!, good day, good morrow!, Godspeed!, pax vobiscum!, may your shadow never be less!, Tien de plus estimable que la ceremonie, the very pink of courtesy, courtesy, respect, good manners, good behavior, good breeding, manners, politeness, bienseance, urbanity, comity, gentility, breeding, polish, presence, civility, civilization, amenity, suavity, good temper, good humor, amiability, easy temper, complacency, soft tongue, mansuetude, condescension, affability, complaisance, pr_evenance, amability, gallantry, pink of politeness, pink of courtesy, compliment, fair words, soft words, sweet words, honeyed phrases, ceremonial salutation, reception, presentation, introduction, accueil, greeting, recognition, welcome, abord, respects, devoir, regards, remembrances, kind regards, kind remembrances, love, best love, duty, empty encomium, flattering remark, hollow commendation, salaams, obeisance, bow, courtesy, curtsy, scrape, salaam, kotow, kowtow, bowing and scraping, kneeling, genuflection, obsequiousness, capping, shaking hands grip of the hand, embrace, hug, squeeze, accolade, loving cup, vin d'honneur, pledge, love token, kiss, buss, salute, mark of recognition, nod, nods and becks and wreathed smiles, valediction, condolence, courteous, polite, civil, mannerly, urbane, well-behaved, well- mannered, well-bred, well-brought up, good-mannered, polished, civilized, cultivated, refined, gentlemanlike, gallant, on one's good behavior, fine spoken, fair spoken, soft-spoken, honey-mouthed, honey- tongued, oily, bland, obliging, conciliatory, complaisant, complacent, obsequious, ingratiating, winning, gentle, mild, good-humored, cordial, gracious, affable, familiar, neighborly, diplomatic, tactful, politic, artful, courteously, with a good grace, with open arms, with outstretched arms, a bras ouverts, suaviter in modo, in good humor, Int, hail!, welcome!, well met!, ave!, all hail!, good day, good morrow!, Godspeed!, pax vobiscum!, may your shadow never be less!, Tien de plus estimable que la ceremonie, the very pink of courtesy.

VB be courteous, show courtesy, mind one's P's and Q's, behave oneself, be all things to all men, conciliate, speak one fair, take in good part, make the amiable, do the amiable, look as if butter would not melt in one's mouth, mend one's manners, receive, do the honors, usher, greet, hail, bid welcome, welcome, welcome with open arms, shake hands, hold out the hand, press the hand, squeeze the hand, press the flesh, bid Godspeed, speed the parting guest, cheer, serenade, salute, embrace, kiss, kiss hands, drink to, pledge, hob and nob, move to, nod to, smile upon, uncover, cap, touch the hat, take off the hat, doff the cap, present arms, make way for, bow, make one's bow, make a leg, scrape, curtsy, courtesy, bob a curtsy, bob a courtesy, kneel, bow the knee, bend the knee, visit, wait upon, present oneself, pay one's respects, pay a visit, dance attendance on, pay attentions to, do homage to, prostrate oneself, give one's duty to, send one's duty to render polite, polish, civilize, humanize.

Respect

N respect, regard, consideration, courtesy, attention, deference, reverence, honor, esteem, estimation, veneration, admiration, approbation, homage, fealty, obeisance, genuflection, kneeling prostration, obsequiousness, salaam, kowtow, bow, presenting arms, salute, respects, regards, duty, devoirs, egards, devotion, respecting, respectful, deferential, decorous, reverential, obsequious, ceremonious, bareheaded, cap in hand, on one's knees, prostrate, respected, in high esteem, in high estimation, time-honored, venerable, emeritus, in deference to, with all respect, with all due respect, with due respect, with the highest respect, with submission, saving your grace, saving your presence, salva sit reverentia, pace tanti nominis, Int, hail!, all hail!, esto perpetua!, may your shadow never be less!, and pluck up drowned honor by the locks, his honor rooted in dishonor stood, honor pricks me on.

Depression

N depression, lowering, depression, dip, abasement, detrusion, reduction, overthrow, overset, overturn, upset, prostration, subversion, precipitation, bow, courtesy, curtsy, genuflexion, genuflection, kowtow, obeisance, salaam, depressed, at a low ebb, prostrate, detrusive, facinus quos inquinat aequat.

VB depress, lower, let down, take down, let down a peg, take down a peg, cast, let drop, let fall, sink, debase, bring low, abase, reduce, detrude, pitch, precipitate, overthrow, overturn, overset, upset, subvert, prostate, level, fell, cast down, take down, throw down, fling down, dash down, pull down, cut down, knock down, hew down, raze, raze to the ground, rase to the ground, trample in the dust, pull about one's ears, sit, sit down, couch, squat, crouch, stoop, bend, bow, courtesy, curtsy, bob, duck, dip, kneel, bend the knee, bow the knee, bend the head, bow the head, cower, recline.

Oscillation

VB oscillate, vibrate, librate, alternate, undulate, wave, rock, swing, pulsate, beat, wag, waggle, nod, bob, courtesy, curtsy, tick, play, wamble, wabble, dangle, swag, fluctuate, dance, curvet, reel, quake, quiver, quaver, shake, flicker, wriggle, roll, toss, pitch, flounder, stagger, totter, move up and down, bob up and down, pass and repass, ebb and flow, come and go, vacillate, teeter, brandish, shake, flourish.