courtesy

English Online Dictionary. What means courtesy‎? What does courtesy mean?

English

Etymology

From Middle English curteisie, curtesie, from Anglo-Norman curtesie, from Old French curteisie, cortoisie. Equivalent to courteous +‎ -y (abstract noun suffix).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkɜːtəsi/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈkɝɾəsi/
• Hyphenation: cour‧te‧sy

Noun

courtesy (countable and uncountable, plural courtesies)

1. (uncountable) Polite behavior.
2. (countable) A polite gesture or remark, especially as opposed to an obligation or standard practice.
3. (uncountable) Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence.

4. (uncountable) Willingness or generosity in providing something needed.

   [on a label, caption, etc.] Courtesy the Smith Foundation: [e.g.] use of this image was allowed through the courtesy of the Smith Foundation.

5. A curtsey.
6. (law) The life interest that the surviving husband has in the real or heritable estate of his wife.

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

courtesy (third-person singular simple present courtesies, present participle courtesying, simple past and past participle courtesied)

1. Alternative form of curtsey

Adjective

courtesy (not comparable) (used only before the noun)

1. Given or done as a polite gesture.

2. Supplied free of charge.

   Synonyms: complimentary, free of charge, gratis

Translations

References

Anagrams

• cosurety, courtsey