a. [ OE. cortais, corteis, cortois, rarely corteous, OF. corties, corteis, F. courtois. See Court. ] Of courtlike manners; pertaining to, or expressive of, courtesy; characterized by courtesy; civil; obliging; well bred; polite; affable; complaisant. [ 1913 Webster ]
A patient and courteous bearing. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]
His behavior toward his people is grave and courteous. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. In a courteous manner. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality of being courteous; politeness; courtesy. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ D. kort short + pije a coarse cloth. ] A short coat of coarse cloth. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Full threadbare was his overeste courtepy. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who courts; one who plays the lover, or who solicits in marriage; one who flatters and cajoles. Sherwood. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. courtisane, fr. courtisan courtier, It. cortigiano; or directly fr. It. cortigiana, or Sp. cortesana. See Court. ] A woman who prostitutes herself for hire; a prostitute; a harlot. [ 1913 Webster ]
Lasciviously decked like a courtesan. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Harlotry. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ See the preceding word. ] An act of civility, respect, or reverence, made by women, consisting of a slight depression or dropping of the body, with bending of the knees.
The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual. Golgsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i.
v. t. To treat with civility. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]