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Courtly vs Courtesy - What's the difference?

courtly | courtesy |

As adjectives the difference between courtly and courtesy

is that courtly is suitable for a royal court; refined, dignified while courtesy is given or done as a polite gesture.

As a noun courtesy is

(uncountable) polite behavior.

As a verb courtesy is

.

courtly

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Suitable for a royal court; refined, dignified.
  • * 1598 , , III. ii. 666:
    • Corin. You have too courtly a wit for me; I’ll rest.
  • Obsequious, flattering.
    • (Macaulay)

    courtesy

    English

    Noun

  • (uncountable) Polite behavior.
    • Please extend them the courtesy of your presence.
  • (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.
  • (uncountable) Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence.
    • They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.
  • (uncountable) Willingness or generosity in providing something needed.
    • They received free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.
  • A curtsey.
  • * Goldsmith
    • The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual.

    Derived terms

    * courtesy call * courtesy card * courtesy copy * courtesy name * courtesy of

    Derived terms

    * courtesy of

    Verb

  • * 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

    Adjective

    courtesy (no comparative or superlative''; ''used only before the noun )
  • Given or done as a polite gesture.
    • We paid a courtesy visit to the new neighbors.
  • Free of charge.
    • The event planners offered courtesy tickets for the reporters.

    Synonyms

    * free of charge

    References