polite

polite
adjective (politer; -est) Etymology: Middle English (Scots) polit, Latin politus, from past participle of polire Date: 15th century 1. a. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of advanced culture b. marked by refined cultural interests and pursuits especially in arts and belles lettres 2. a. showing or characterized by correct social usage b. marked by an appearance of consideration, tact, deference, or courtesy c. marked by a lack of roughness or crudities <
polite literature
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Synonyms: see civilpolitely adverbpoliteness noun

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Polite — Po*lite , a. [Compar. {Politer}; superl. {Politest}.] [L. politus, p. p. of polire to polish: cf. F. poli. See {Polish}, v.] 1. Smooth; polished. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Rays of light falling on a polite surface. Sir I. Newton. [1913 Webster] 2.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • polite — [pə līt′] adj. [L politus, pp. of polire, to POLISH] 1. having or showing culture or good taste; polished; cultured; refined [polite society, polite letters] 2. having or showing good manners; esp., courteous, considerate, tactful, etc. SYN.… …   English World dictionary

  • Polite — Po*lite , v. t. To polish; to refine; to render polite. [Obs.] Ray. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • polite — ► ADJECTIVE (politer, politest) 1) courteous and well mannered. 2) cultured and refined: polite society. DERIVATIVES politely adverb politeness noun. ORIGIN Latin politus polished, made smooth , from polire …   English terms dictionary

  • polite — index diplomatic, discreet, formal, obeisant Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • polite — (adj.) mid 13c., from L. politus refined, elegant, lit. polished, pp. of polire to polish, to make smooth. Used literally at first in English; sense of elegant, cultured is first recorded c.1500, that of behaving courteously is 1762 …   Etymology dictionary

  • polite — *civil, courteous, courtly, gallant, chivalrous Analogous words: *suave, urbane, diplomatic, politic: *thoughtful, considerate, attentive Antonyms: impolite …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • polite — [adj] mannerly, civilized affable, amenable, amiable, attentive, bland, civil, complaisant, concerned, conciliatory, condescending, considerate, cordial, courteous, courtly, cultured, deferential, diplomatic, elegant, friendly, genteel, gentle,… …   New thesaurus

  • polite — po|lite S3 [pəˈlaıt] adj [Date: 1400 1500; : Latin; Origin: , past participle of polire; POLISH1] 1.) behaving or speaking in a way that is correct for the social situation you are in, and showing that you are careful to consider other people s… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • polite — adjective 1 behaving or speaking in a way that is correct for the social situation you are in, and showing that you are careful to consider other people s needs and feelings: a polite refusal | What polite well behaved children! | it is polite to …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • polite */ — UK [pəˈlaɪt] / US adjective Word forms polite : adjective polite comparative politer superlative politest a) someone who is polite behaves towards other people in a pleasant way that follows all the usual rules of society polite to: You must be… …   English dictionary

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