courtoisie

courtesy, politeness

noun koor-twah-ZEE Rare

Origin: Old French 'cortoisie' from 'cortois' (courtly)

Usage Note

Courtoisie has a slightly elevated, formal register compared to politesse. It carries connotations of chivalric or aristocratic manners (la courtoisie chevaleresque). The adjective courtois means 'courteous,' and the phrase par courtoisie ('as a courtesy') is common in formal correspondence. Amour courtois refers to courtly love in literary history.

Examples

"Il a répondu avec beaucoup de courtoisie."

Natural Translation

He replied with great courtesy.

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