Courteous
['kɜːtjəs] or ['kɝtɪəs]
Definition
(adj.) characterized by courtesy and gracious good manners; 'if a man be gracious and courteous to strangers it shows he is a citizen of the world'-Francis Bacon .
(adj.) exhibiting courtesy and politeness; 'a nice gesture' .
Inputed by Leonard--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Of courtlike manners; pertaining to, or expressive of, courtesy; characterized by courtesy; civil; obliging; well bred; polite; affable; complaisant.
Typist: Moira
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Polite, civil, affable, urbane, complaisant, gracious, courtly, ceremonious, debonair, respectful, obliging, well-bred.
Checked by Abram
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See POLITE]
Editor: Omar
Examples
- You will find all the inhabitants extremely courteous and friendly. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- We therefore decline with thanks your Highness's courteous invitation to the banquet. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- The Khan came out from his tent about thirty paces to meet Yuan Chwang, who, after a courteous greeting, entered the tent. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Nothing could be more agreeable than his frank and courteous bearing, or adapted with a more gentlemanly instinct to the circumstances of his visit. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- He went his way, his farewell being scarcely so courteous as his greeting. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- He rose with a very courteous air, and, bowing to us, he passed out through a door at the farther end of the room, which he closed behind him. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- They were to be humoured, borne with very patiently: a courteous though sedate manner impressed them; a very rare flash of raillery did good. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- And this courteous dame turned her back. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- In conversation Edison is direct, courteous, ready to discuss a topic with anybody worth talking to, and, in spite of his sore deafness, an excellent listener. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- She must be courteous, and she must be compassionate. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- Riah went to open it, and presently came back, ushering in, with the grave and courteous air that sat so well upon him, a gentleman. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- My name is Riah,' said the old man, with courteous action, 'and my avocation is in London city. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- He was handsome, dissolute, soft, treacherous, courteous, cruel----' Don't cry, Cary; we'll say no more about it. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- The error is plain enough, said the less courteous Edmund; such girls are ill brought up. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- I told her what had passed, delivering verbatim the courteous message with which I had been charged. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Miss Fanny was excessively courteous to her, and said the usual nothings with the skill of a veteran. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- He was courteous, honey-tongued--an adept in fascinating arts. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- He was overawed by the Serjeant, and profoundly courteous to the attorney. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Gentle thieves they are, in short, and courteous robbers; but it is ever the luckiest to meet with them when they are at the worSt. How so, Wamba? Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Knowest thou, said the Jester, my good friend Gurth, that thou art strangely courteous and most unwontedly pious on this summer morning? Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- We must not let them think we expect any but courteous treatment. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Mild Mrs. Dent talked with good-natured Mrs. Eshton; and the two sometimes bestowed a courteous word or smile on me. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- They are on terms of mortal defiance, and cannot hold courteous intercourse together. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- By nature inoffensive, friendly, and obliging, his presentation at St. James's had made him courteous. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- They offered us only the most courteous treatment, but were evidently bound by their superstitious belief in the doctrine of Dor and Iss and Korus. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- On seeing this, Justinian turned towards him with a courteous apology, and restored the portrait. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- She had to play the part of a courteous hostess; to attend to all; to shine the focus of enjoyment and grace. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- A really irresistible man--courteous, considerate, delightfully free from pride--a gentleman, every inch of him. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- But, if these censurers were better acquainted with the noble and courteous disposition of the _Houyhnhnms_, they would soon change their opinion. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
- His name was Pedro de Mendez; he was a very courteous and generous person. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
Editor: Omar