Courtesy

Courtesy

Courtesy comes from old french 'courteis' (12th century) is gentle politeness and courtly manners. In the Middle Ages in Europe, the behaviour expected of the gentry was compiled in courtesy books. One of the most influential of these was Il Cortegiano (The Courtier) which not only covered basic etiquette and decorum but also provided models of sophisticated conversation and intellectual skill.[1]

In medieval India too, nobility and royalty were expected to display courteous behaviour. The concept was described by the Sanskrit word, daksinya, which meant "kindness and consideration expressed in a sophisticated and elegant way".[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Dominic Head, "courtesy book", The Cambridge guide to literature in English, http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=rQINrHtwNU0C&pg=PA249 
  2. ^ Daud Ali, "The spirit of courtesy", Courtly culture and political life in early medieval India, http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9BKW65Yt65wC&pg=PA135 

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  • courtesy — [kʉrt′ə sē; ] for 4 [, kʉrt′sē] n. pl. courtesies [ME courteisie < OFr curteisie: see COURTEOUS] 1. courteous behavior; gracious politeness 2. a polite, helpful, or considerate act or remark 3. an act or usage intended to honor or compliment… …   English World dictionary

  • Courtesy — Cour te*sy (k?r t? s?), n.; pl. {Courtesies} ( s?z). [OE. cortaisie, corteisie, courtesie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, F. courtoisie, fr. curteis, corteis. See {Courteous}.] 1. Politeness; civility; urbanity; courtliness.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • courtesy — courtesy, amenity, attention, gallantry are comparable when they denote a manner or an act which promotes agreeable or pleasant social relations. Courtesy suggests consideration for others or deference (as to their rank, sex, or age); it usually… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • courtesy — ► NOUN (pl. courtesies) 1) courteous behaviour. 2) a polite speech or action, especially one required by convention. ● (by) courtesy of Cf. ↑courtesy of …   English terms dictionary

  • Courtesy — Courte sy (k[^u]rt s[y^]), 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. [Written also {curtsy} and {curtsey}.] [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • courtesy — [n1] good manners address, affability, amenities, amiability, attentiveness, ceremony, chivalry, civility, comity, complaisance, consideration, cordiality, courteousness, courtliness, cultivation, culture, deference, elegance, familiarity, favor …   New thesaurus

  • Courtesy — Courte sy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Courtesied} ( s[i^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Courtesying}.] To make a respectful salutation or movement of respect; esp. (with reference to women), to bow the body slightly, with bending of the knes. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Courtesy — Courte sy, v. t. To treat with civility. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • courtesy — I noun affability, amenity, amiability, chivalry, civility, comitas, comity, complaisance, consideration, cordiality, courteous conduct, courteousness, courtliness, deference, elegance of manners, etiquette, excellence of behavior, friendliness,… …   Law dictionary

  • courtesy — early 13c., curteisie, from O.Fr. curteisie (Mod.Fr. courtoisie), from curteis courteous (see COURTEOUS (Cf. courteous)). A specialized sense of curteisie is the source of English CURTSY (Cf. curtsy) …   Etymology dictionary

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