The Collaborative International Dictionary
Curtesy \Cur"te*sy\ (k?r"t?-s?), n.; pl. Curtesies (-s?z).
[Either fr. courlesy, the lands being held as it were by
favor; or fr. court (LL. curtis), the husband being regarded
as holding the lands as a vassal of the court. See Court,
Courtesy.] (Law)
the life estate which a husband has in the lands of his
deceased wife, which by the common law takes effect where he
has had issue by her, born alive, and capable of inheriting
the lands.
--Mozley & W.
Usage examples of "curtesies".
During all which, those knights continu'd there,Both doing and receiuing curtesies,Of that great Ladie, who with goodly chereThem entertayn'd, fit for their dignities,Approuing dayly to their noble eyesRoyall examples of her mercies rare,And worthie paterns of her clemencies.