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courtesy call

[ kur-tuh-see kawl ]
/ ˈkɜr tə si ˌkɔl /
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noun
a visit or telephone call made for the sake of politeness or diplomacy: The newly appointed ambassador of Argentina paid a courtesy call on the leader of the opposition today.The delivery team was very professional and made a courtesy call in advance of their arrival.
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Origin of courtesy call

First recorded in 1895–1900

Words nearby courtesy call

court dress, Courtelle, courteous, courtesan, courtesy, courtesy call, courtesy car, courtesy card, courtesy light, courtesy title, court hand
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use courtesy call in a sentence

  • Meanwhile, the Chileans, who supported Carstens, went so far as to courtesy-call Lagarde personally to explain their position.

    Christine Lagarde Named New IMF Chief|Tracy McNicoll|June 28, 2011|DAILY BEAST

  • The next step was the cutting out of the women; this was effected whilst the baronet-captain was paying his courtesy call on us.

    The Master of Appleby|Francis Lynde

  • Sure, he was all spruced up now, ready to make a polite courtesy call at the big house.

    Ride Proud, Rebel!|Andre Alice Norton

  • An accidental meeting with Phryn had led to a courtesy call—and the inevitable.

    The Haunting of Low Fennel|Sax Rohmer
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