politesse

pol·i·tesse

P0413500 (pŏl′ĭ-tĕs′, pô′lē-)n. Courteous formality; politeness: "the soul of uptown refinement and ... politesse" (Russell Baker).

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[French, from Old French, cleanliness, from Italian pulitezza, politezza, from pulire, to polish, clean, from Latin polīre; see polite.]

politesse

(ˌpɒlɪˈtɛs) nformal or genteel politeness[C18: via French from Italian politezza, ultimately from Latin polīre to polish]

pol•i•tesse

(ˌpɒl ɪˈtɛs, ˌpɔ li-)

n. formal politeness; courtesy. [1710–20; < French: orig. clean or polished state < Italian politezza]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

politesse - courtesy towards women chivalry, gallantrygood manners, courtesy - a courteous manner

politesse

nounWell-mannered behavior toward others:civility, courteousness, courtesy, genteelness, gentility, mannerliness, politeness.