Adjective

(en-adj)

Well-mannered, civilized.

* (Alexander Pope)

He marries, bows at court, and grows polite .

* , chapter=4

, title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=I told him about everything I could think of; and what I couldn't think of he did. He asked about six questions during my yarn, but every question had a point to it. At the end he bowed and thanked me once more. As a thanker he was main-truck high; I never see anybody so polite .}}

(obsolete) Smooth, polished, burnished.

* (Isaac Newton)

rays of light falling on a polite surface

Adjective

(en adjective)

Hearty; sincere; warm; affectionate.

* 1667 , '', 1859, Thomas Keightley (editor), ''The Poems of John Milton , Volume 1, page 381,

He, on his side / Leaning half raised, with looks of cordial love / Hung over her enamoured.

* 1885 , George Washington Schuyler, Colonial New York: Philip Schuyler and His Family , C. Scribner's Sons,

The relations between the Earl of Bellomont and Colonel Schuyler were formal, but not cordial from the first.

Said of someone radiating warmth and friendliness; genial.

* 1869 , ,

The sight of London warmed my heart with various emotions, such as a cordial man must draw from the heart of all humanity.

(rare) Tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate; giving strength or spirits.

* 1634 , (editor), ''The Poetical Works of John Milton , Volume 3, page 106,

And first behold this cordial julep here / That flames and dances in his crystal bounds, / With spirits of balm, and fragrant syrups mix'd.

(obsolete) Proceeding from the heart.

* 1667 , '', 1957, Merritt Yerkes Hughes (editor), ''Complete Poems and Major Prose , page 373,

Who stooping op'n'd my left side, and took / From thence a Rib with cordial spirits warm, / And Life-blood streaming fresh;