COURTESY Meaning and
Definition
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Courtesy is a noun that refers to the polite and considerate behavior shown towards others, often with a gesture or act of kindness. It involves showing respect, thoughtfulness, and good manners in one's interactions with other individuals or within a social context.
At its core, courtesy is about treating people in a way that makes them feel valued and appreciated. It encompasses actions such as using polite language, smiling, and making eye contact, as well as gestures like holding doors open for others or offering assistance whenever possible. By displaying courtesy, individuals demonstrate an understanding of social norms and a willingness to go beyond basic politeness to make others feel comfortable and respected.
In various situations, courtesy manifests differently. It can involve showing deference or yielding to others in a hierarchical relationship, such as students paying respect to their teachers or employees acknowledging their superiors. Additionally, in public spaces, courtesy can be exhibited by giving up one's seat for those in need, allowing others to exit before entering, or being mindful of noise levels to avoid disturbing those in the vicinity.
In summary, courtesy embodies the genuine consideration for others' feelings and needs by displaying kind and respectful behavior. It promotes harmony and fosters positive interactions among individuals in a variety of settings, from personal relationships to professional environments and public spaces.
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• Politeness of manners combined with kindness; civility; an act of civility or respect; favour not by right.
• An act of respect or reverence paid by a woman.
• To perform an act of respect, &c., as a woman.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for COURTESY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for COURTESY
Etymology of COURTESY
The word "courtesy" originated from the Latin word "curtis", meaning "courtyard" or "inhabitant of a court". During medieval times, it evolved to refer to the behavior and manners expected of those who lived in the courts of royalty and nobility. From there, it developed into the modern meaning of being polite, considerate, and well-mannered.
Idioms with the word COURTESY
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out of courtesy (to sm)
The idiom "out of courtesy (to someone)" means to do something as a polite and considerate gesture towards someone. It implies that the action is done to show respect, manners, or kindness towards the person in question.
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courtesy of
The idiom "courtesy of" is used to express that something is provided or given by someone, often as a gesture of kindness or goodwill. It indicates that the person being referred to is giving credit or recognition for something.
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courtesy of somebody/something
The idiom "courtesy of somebody/something" means that someone or something is responsible for providing or giving credit for a particular thing or action. It typically refers to something being done or given as a polite gesture or special favor on behalf of someone or something else.
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by courtesy of somebody/something
The idiom "by courtesy of somebody/something" means that something is being done or provided with permission, assistance, or favor from a particular person, organization, or entity. It implies that the person or thing mentioned is allowing or facilitating the action or outcome.
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out of courtesy (to someone)
The definition for the idiom "out of courtesy (to someone)" is to do something as an act of politeness or consideration for someone else. It refers to performing a certain action or behavior in order to show respect or kindness to another person, regardless of one's personal preference or convenience.
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do somebody the courtesy of doing something
The idiom "do somebody the courtesy of doing something" means to show someone politeness or respect by doing a particular action for them. It implies that the action being performed is not mandatory or expected, but rather a kind gesture towards someone.
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have the courtesy to do something
The idiom "have the courtesy to do something" means to show politeness or respect by doing something that is expected or considered appropriate in a given situation. It implies that one should considerate enough to fulfill an expected action or obligation, reflecting common social expectations.
Similar spelling words for COURTESY
- courteous,
- cortes,
- cortege,
- cortez,
- courthouse,
- court game,
- cords,
- courtois,
- curtsey,
- cortese,
- courtesan,
- courts,
- cordes,
- cordage,
- cortex,
- curtest,
- curtsy,
- courteously.
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