n.; pl. Courtesies [ OE. cortaisie, corteisie, courtesie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, F. courtoisie, fr. curteis, corteis. See Courteous. ] 1. Politeness; civility; urbanity; courtliness. [ 1913 Webster ]

And trust thy honest-offered courtesy,
With oft is sooner found in lowly sheds,
With smoky rafters, than in tapestry walls
And courts of princes, where it first was named,
And yet is most pretended. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pardon me, Messer Claudio, if once more
I use the ancient courtesies of speech. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An act of civility or respect; an act of kindness or favor performed with politeness. [ 1913 Webster ]

My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Favor or indulgence, as distinguished from right; as, a title given one by courtesy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Courtesy title, a title assumed by a person, or popularly conceded to him, to which he has no valid claim; as, the courtesy title of Lord prefixed to the names of the younger sons of noblemen.

Syn. -- Politeness; urbanity; civility; complaisance; affability; courteousness; elegance; refinement; courtliness; good breeding. See Politeness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See the preceding word. ] An act of civility, respect, or reverence, made by women, consisting of a slight depression or dropping of the body, with bending of the knees. [ Written also curtsy and curtsey. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual. Golgsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Courtesied p. pr. & vb. n. Courtesying. ] To make a respectful salutation or movement of respect; esp. (with reference to women), to bow the body slightly, with bending of the knes. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To treat with civility. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]