politesse

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Civility, politeness, courtesy or gallantry; genteel politeness or an instance of this.

   So if you meet me, have some courtesy / Have some sympathy, and some taste / Use all your well-learned politesse / Or I'll lay your soul to waste.

From French politesse, from Italian politezza, from polito, past participle of pulire (“to clean”), from Latin polire, present active infinite form of poliō (“to polish”).

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