suavity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   smooth, polite, and urbane agreeableness of manner

   The diplomat answered the hostile question with practiced suavity.

2. 2
   noun

   a pleasing sweetness or mildness of sound, taste, smell, or expression

   The critic praised the suavity of the singer's phrasing.

From Middle English suavitee, through Middle French suavite, from Latin suavitas, "pleasantness or sweetness," based on suavis, "sweet, agreeable." The older sensory meaning survives, while the dominant modern sense describes smoothly pleasing manners.

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