politeness

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The quality of being polite.

   1927, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados Mysteries At school, where politeness is not one of the compulsory subjects, I was "Pup", "Puggy", "Ki-ki", "Balcombe Beauty", "Snarleywow", and other shafts of endearment. I was not petted.

2. 2
   noun

   A polite act.

   These politenesses left Miss Marley floundering for initiative, holding Jasper and being solemnly inspected by Podson, who clearly depended on her the convention of an afternoon call.

3. 3
   noun

   the act of showing regard for others

4. 4
   noun

   a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage

Etymology

From polite + -ness.