comity
[kom-i-tee]
- mutual courtesy; civility.
- Also called comity of nations. courtesy between nations, as in respect shown by one country for the laws, judicial decisions, and institutions of another.
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Origin of comity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
comity of nations
- the friendly recognition accorded by one nation to the laws and usages of another
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comity
- mutual civility; courtesy
- short for comity of nations
- the policy whereby one religious denomination refrains from proselytizing the members of another
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin cōmitās, from cōmis affable, obliging, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for comity of nations
comity
n.
early 15c., "association," from French comité, from Latin comitas "courtesy, friendliness, kindness, affability," from comis "courteous, friendly, kind," of uncertain origin. Meaning "courtesy" in English is from 1540s. Phrase comity of nations attested from 1862: "The obligation recognized by civilized nations to respect each other's laws and usages as far as their separate interests allow."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper