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Propriety vs Courtesy - What's the difference?

propriety | courtesy |

As nouns the difference between propriety and courtesy

is that propriety is the particular character or essence of someone or something; individuality while courtesy is polite behavior.

As a verb courtesy is

alternative form of lang=en.

As an adjective courtesy is

given or done as a polite gesture.

propriety

English

Noun

  • (obsolete) The particular character or essence of someone or something; individuality.
  • (obsolete) A characteristic; an attribute.
  • (obsolete) More generally, something owned by someone; a possession.
  • * 1723 , Charles Walker, Memoirs of the Life of Sally Salisbury :
    • I was fearful of giving You a very sensible Disgust, in making You'' seem the ''Propriety'' of ''one Man'', when You know Yourself ''ordained'' for the Comfort and Refreshment of ''Multitudes .
  • The fact of possessing something; ownership.
  • Suitability, fitness; the quality of being appropriate.
  • * 1773 ,
    • I find such a pleasure, sir, in obeying your commands, that I take care to observe them without ever debating their propriety .
  • * 1850 ,
    • Now, if we may, with propriety', refer to the people one question, why may we not, with equal ' propriety , refer another?
  • Correctness in behaviour and morals; good manners, seemliness.
  • * 1811 , (Jane Austen), :
    • Elinor then ventured to doubt the propriety of her receiving such a present from a man so little, or at least so lately known to her.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=May 27 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992) , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=The neighbor is eventually able to sell her home despite Homer’s pants-less affronts to propriety and decency and Bart falls deeply and instantly for one of its new inhabitants, a tough but charming and funny tomboy girl named Laura (voiced by Sara Gilbert) with just the right combination of toughness and sweetness, granite and honey.}}

    Related terms

    * proper

    References

    * "Propriety" at Dictionary.com

    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