Crossword clues for courteous
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Courteous \Cour"te*ous\ (k?r"t?-?s; 277), a. [OE. cortais, corteis, cortois, rarely corteous, OF. corties, corteis, F. courtois. See Court.] Of courtlike manners; pertaining to, or expressive of, courtesy; characterized by courtesy; civil; obliging; well bred; polite; affable; complaisant.
A patient and courteous bearing.
--Prescott.
His behavior toward his people is grave and courteous.
--Fuller.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
mid-14c., earlier curteis (c.1300), from Old French curteis (Modern French courtois) "having courtly bearing or manners," from curt "court" (see court (n.)) + -eis, from Latin -ensis.\n
\nRare before c.1500. In feudal society, also denoting a man of good education (hence the name Curtis). Medieval courts were associated with good behavior and also beauty; compare German hübsch "beautiful," from Middle High German hübesch "beautiful," originally "courteous, well-bred," from Old Franconian hofesch, from hof "court." Related: Courteously (mid-14c., kurteis-liche).
Wiktionary
a. Showing regard or thought for others; especially, displaying good manners or etiquette.
WordNet
adj. exhibiting courtesy and politeness; "a nice gesture" [syn: gracious, nice]
characterized by courtesy and gracious good manners; "if a man be gracious and courteous to strangers it shows he is a citizen of the world"-Francis Bacon [ant: discourteous]
Usage examples of "courteous".
He was elected Vice-president in 1876, and the duties of that office have rarely been discharged by an abler or more courteous officer.
Yet Adams remained pointedly courteous to both men, as to others of the anti-independence faction.
He groaned softly, released the foot -- the tsin put it down gingerly --looked up and greeted Ahl in a courteous, despondent tone.
Mr Sowerby, was Miss Dunstable, who seemed to take a great fancy to him, whereas she was not very accessible to the blandishments of Mr Supplehouse, nor more especially courteous to her host than good manners required of her.
For myself, I can say that since I became a knight errant I have been valiant, well-mannered, liberal, polite, generous, courteous, bold, gentle, patient, long-suffering in labors, imprisonments, and enchantments, and although only a short while ago I saw myself locked in a cage like a madman, I think that with the valor of my arm, and heaven favoring me, and fortune not opposing me, in a few days I shall find myself the king of some kingdom where I can display the gratitude and liberality of my heart.
A less courteous man might have noted that Santa Feans are sometimes eccentric in their dress.
Quenya that Tolkien toyed with, but the idea of a basic distinction between familiar and courteous forms may well be a more lasting conception.
Murray now called on the Editor of the Scottish Leader, the Gladstonian organ, whom he found very courteous.
I did approach the Society, and, in the event, they were most courteous to me.
Leutnant Mohr had been courteous to Wayne and Ishihara, in case they were telling the truth, but he had taken no chances, either.
There was somewhat in the open countenance and courteous behaviour of Jones which, being accompanied with much comeliness of person, greatly recommended him at first to every beholder.
The stranger, with a courteous flourish, led the sailors behind the girth of the motortruck, where bucket after bucket of black hydrocarbons showered into an already-creaking loading bin.
He questioned the townspeople who treated him in the courteous but offhanded way that Southerners have always regarded strangers.
With a courteous bow, he opened for me himself the door to the octagonal room, and I entered my bedroom.
A small portlight floated from its resting shelf to shed a courteous spot of brightness.