Politeness
[pə'laɪtnɪs]
Definition
(noun.) the act of showing regard for others.
(noun.) a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage.
Edited by Jacqueline--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) High finish; smoothness; burnished elegance.
(n.) The quality or state of being polite; refinement of manners; urbanity; courteous behavior; complaisance; obliging attentions.
Typed by Joan
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Courtesy, civility, good manners, courteousness, gentility, affability, complaisance, comity, amenity, suavity, decorum, good-breeding, good manners, obliging manner.
Editor: Louise
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Courtesy, refinement, good_breeding, courteousness, urbanity, civility,gentility,[See COURTESY]
Typist: Nathaniel
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. The most acceptable hypocrisy.
Typist: Sophie
Examples
- I answered, more in shyness than politeness, After you, miss. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Maurice took the hint, and addressed himself to the Count with an air of elaborate politeness. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- As it was, I met him with the most resolute politeness, apologised for my involuntary intrusion (which he called a trespass,) and left the grounds. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Mrs. Sparsit gave him a look of the darkest scorn, and said with great politeness, 'Really, sir? Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- He does it with the utmost politeness to the gods. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- He would listen to the most pathetic appeals with the most discouraging politeness and equanimity. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- There was only one of our society who carried politeness so far as to seem amused at such disgusting profligacy. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Wrapt up in a cloak of politeness, she seemed determined to hazard nothing. Jane Austen. Emma.
- I repudiate, for the moment, my politeness, and say, Lies, lies, lies. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- His politeness, which was extreme, would not allow of the young lady's lighting herself down-stairs, or going down alone. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- She might have had the politeness to send that message at first, but it's better late than never. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Everybody went away having any pretensions to politeness, and of course, with them, Doctor von Glauber, the Court Doctor, and his Baroness. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Politeness and little gallantries are inseparable from my character. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Marie lifted her large eyes on her cousin with an air of some curiosity, and received her with languid politeness. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- It's impossible,' said Mrs. Gradgrind, with a mingled sense of politeness and injury, 'to be constantly addressing him and never giving him a name. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
Typed by Harrison