courtesy

From Middle English curtesie, from Anglo-Norman curtesie, from Old French curteisie, cortoisie. [1][2]

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

• Audio (US)

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courtesy (countable and uncountable, plural courtesies)

1. (uncountable) Polite behavior.

   Please extend them the courtesy of your presence.

2. (countable) A polite gesture or remark.

   I offered them a ride simply as a courtesy.

   • Shakespeare

     My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you.

3. (uncountable) Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence.

   They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.

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

   They received free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.

5. A curtsey.
   • Goldsmith

     The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual.

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

• courtesy of

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

1. Alternative form of curtsey
   • Samuel Richardson

     Well, but Polly attended, as I said; and there were strange simperings, and bowing, and courtesying, between them; the honest gentleman seeming not to know how to let his mistress wait upon him […]

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

1. Given or done as a polite gesture.

   We paid a courtesy visit to the new neighbors.

2. Supplied free of charge.

   Synonyms: complimentary, free of charge, gratis

   The event planners offered courtesy tickets for the reporters.

• cosurety, courtsey