courtesy English · revision 7517

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1225|origins=fro curteisie}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkɜːtəsi/ ''(UK)''; /ˈkɝɾəsi/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English curteisie, corteisie, [[bor|fro|curteisie|t=courtliness, courteousness, generosity]] (modern courtoisie),^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from curteis, [[courteous]], and -ie, [[-y]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Courtly elegance and politeness, chivalrous conduct: about 1200 in Etymonline, before 1225 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A courteous act is also from about 1200.^(Etymonline) Good will or kindness, and a reward or gift, are from about 1300,^(Etymonline) and courteous disposition, nobleness, generosity from 1297.^(OED 1989) ''By courtesy'', by favour or common good will, is from 1587,^(OED 1989) and a ''courtesy title'', with no legal validity, from 1829 (1844 in the OED).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A ''courtesy call'' is by 1898.^(Etymonline) A specialized sense of the word became [[curtsy]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) The verb, to make a curtsy, is from the late 16th century.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – courtly politeness.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1297 – generosity.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1587 – by courtesy.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1829 – courtesy title.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1898 – courtesy call.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[polite|alt=Polite]] behaviour; good [[manners]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A polite gesture or remark.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Favour or consent, especially in ''by courtesy of''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Done or given as a polite gesture, or free of charge: ''a courtesy bus''.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[discourtesy]]

+ * [[overcourtesy]]

+ * [[uncourtesy]]

+ * [[curtsey]]

+ * [[courtesy card]]

+ * [[senatorial courtesy]]

+ * [[courtesy light]]

+ * [[courtesy title]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[courteous]]

+ * [[curtsy]]

+ * [[court]]

+ * [[courtier]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}