courteous
[kur-tee-uhs]
- having or showing good manners; polite.
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Origin of courteous
Synonyms
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See civil.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for courteously
Historical Examples
The woman would have led again, but young Hallam cut in, none too courteously.
The Black BagLouis Joseph Vance
They were to greet her courteously, and inquire who she was.
Welsh Fairy TalesWilliam Elliott Griffis
He approached them, and courteously inquired the way to the nearest town.
Maid MarianThomas Love Peacock
"I have no more this morning," responded Mrs. Brady courteously.
The Widow O'Callaghan's BoysGulielma Zollinger
Can he courteously talk to an equal, and browbeat an impudent dunce?
Farm BalladsWill Carleton
courteous
- polite and considerate in manner
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Word Origin
C13 corteis, literally: with courtly manners, from Old French; see court
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for courteously
courteous
adj.
mid-14c., earlier curteis (c.1300), from Old French curteis (Modern French courtois) "having courtly bearing or manners," from curt "court" (see court (n.)) + -eis, from Latin -ensis.
Rare before c.1500. In feudal society, also denoting a man of good education (hence the name Curtis). Medieval courts were associated with good behavior and also beauty; e.g. German hübsch "beautiful," from Middle High German hübesch "beautiful," originally "courteous, well-bred," from Old Franconian hofesch, from hof "court." Related: Courteously (mid-14c., kurteis-liche).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper