courteous

• POS: Adjective
• HYPHEN: cour=te=ous

CIDE DICTIONARY

courteous, a. [OE. cortais, corteis, cortois, rarely corteous, OF. corties, corteis, F. courtois. See Court.].

 Of courtlike manners; pertaining to, or expressive of, courtesy; characterized by courtesy; civil; obliging; well bred; polite; affable; complaisant.  [1913 Webster]
"A patient and courteous bearing."  [1913 Webster]
"His behavior toward his people is grave and courteous."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

courteous, adj. polite, kind, or considerate in manner; well-mannered.

Derivative

courteously adv. courteousness n.

Etymology

ME f. OF corteis, curteis f. Rmc (as COURT): assim. to words in -OUS

THESAURUS

courteous

accommodating, affable, agreeable, amiable, attentive, cap in hand, ceremonious, civil, civilized, clubbable, clubbish, clubby, communicative, companionable, companionate, compatible, complaisant, congenial, considerate, courtly, decorous, deferential, diplomatic, dutiful, fair, fit for society, fond of society, friendly, genial, genteel, gentlemanly, graceful, gracious, gregarious, honorific, hospitable, ladylike, mannerly, obliging, polished, polite, proper, regardful, respectful, sociable, social, social-minded, solicitous, tactful, thoughtful, urbane, well-behaved, well-bred, well-mannered

ROGET THESAURUS

courteous

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.