FluentPlex

courtesy

/ˈkɝɾəsi/ noun B2
  1. Polite behavior. (uncountable) · Please extend them the courtesy of your presence.· He was always known for his grace, kindness, and courtesy to people of every rank.
  2. A polite gesture or remark, especially as opposed to an obligation or standard practice. (countable) · I offered them a ride simply as a courtesy.
  3. Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence. (uncountable) · They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.
  4. Willingness or generosity in providing something needed. (uncountable) · They received free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.
  5. A curtsey. (countable, dated, uncountable)
  6. The life interest that the surviving husband has in the real or heritable estate of his wife. (countable, uncountable)

Plural courtesies

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From the library

Chandler assisted her to her feet with instant and solicitous courtesy.
Six stories from The Four Million, p. 28 · C1
“Come then, Miss Marian,” said the young architect, gaily, but with perfect courtesy; “you will not have far to walk.
Six stories from The Four Million, p. 30 · C1
The statesman received us with that old-fashioned courtesy for which he is remarkable, and seated us on the two luxuriant lounges on either side of the fireplace.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, p. 80 · B2
“My dear Watson,” he said, “I write these few lines through the courtesy of Mr.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, p. 126 · B2

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Words, meanings, pronunciations and translations from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0); how common each word is from wordfreq. Made into this dictionary by FluentPlex.