courtesy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Polite and considerate behaviour.

   He always treats his customers with courtesy.

2. 2
   noun

   A polite act or favour you do for someone, beyond what is required.

   I offered them a ride simply as a courtesy.

3. 3
   adj

   Provided free of charge as a polite gesture.

   The hotel runs a courtesy bus to the airport.

From Middle English curteisie, curtesie, from Anglo-Norman curtesie, from Old French curteisie, cortoisie. Equivalent to courteous + -y (abstract noun suffix). By surface analysis, court + -esy.

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