| 释义 |
po·lite
\pəˈlīt, pōˈ-, usu -īd.+V\ adjective
(often -er/-est)
Etymology: Middle English polyt, from Latin politus, past participle of polire to smooth, polish — more at polish
1. obsolete : polished 1a
< edifices … made of the politest stone — William Whiston >
2. obsolete : in good order : well kept : neat, tidy
3.
a. : of, belonging to, or having the characteristics of advanced culture : exhibiting polish, cultivation, elegance, and refinement : characterized by elevated and preferential usages
< Latin … became the vehicle of polite as well as official intercourse — H.O.Taylor >
< part of a polite schooling — F.J.Mather >
< polite society >
< polite languages >
b. : marked by refined cultured interests and pursuits especially in arts and belles lettres and usually not scientific, utilitarian, or controversial in character
< the Revolutionary upheaval produced no polite literature … comparable to its utilitarian prose — V.L.Parrington >
4.
a. : showing or characterized by correct social usage : marked by or exhibiting an appearance of consideration, tact, deference, courtesy, or grace resulting sometimes from sincere consideration of others and sometimes from mere regard for etiquette
< polite answer >
< polite letter >
< a man who thinks of living in the great world must be gallant, polite, and attentive to please the women — Earl of Chesterfield >
b. : marked by a lack of roughness or crudities : gentle or moderate in tone : designed not to offend
< things … ignored or minimized in polite history — G.G.Coulton >
Synonyms: see civil |