English

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Etymology

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From Middle English courtly, equivalent to court +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

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  • Audio (US):(file)
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈkɔɹtli/

Adjective

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courtly (comparative courtlier, superlative courtliest)

  1. Befitting of a royal court; reflecting the manners or behaviour of people at court.
    Synonyms: refined, dignified, genteel, well-mannered
    He swept off his hat and made a deep courtly bow.
    The troubadours sang songs about courtly love.
  2. Of or relating to a royal court.
    She tried to remain aloof from courtly intrigues.
    • a. 1627, John Beaumont, “Horat. Lib. 2. Sat. 6.”, in Bosworth-Field with a Taste of the Variety of Other Poems[2], London: Henry Seile, page 40:
      in houres secure from courtly strife
    • 1776, Thomas Paine, Common Sense[3], Philadelphia, page 40:
      The rich are in general slaves to fear, and submit to courtly power with the trembling duplicity of a spaniel.
    • 1857, Anthony Trollope, chapter 3, in Barchester Towers[4], volume 1, London: Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans, & Roberts, page 30:
      He had for years held some clerical office appertaining to courtly matters, which had enabled him to live in London,
  3. (obsolete) Overly eager to please or obey.
    Synonyms: flattering, obsequious, servile

Derived terms

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Translations

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Adverb

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courtly (comparative more courtly, superlative most courtly)

  1. In the manner of a royal court; in a manner befitting of a royal court.
    Synonym: courtlily
    • 1598, Robert Greene, The Scottish Historie of James the Fourth[6], London, act I, scene 1:
      Then will I deck thee Princely, instruct thee courtly,
      And present thee to the Queene as my gift.
    • 1673, John Dryden, The Assignation[7], London: Henry Herringman, act II, scene 3, page 17:
      [] where, in the name of wonder, have you learn’d to talk so courtly?
    • 1766, Elizabeth Griffith, The Double Mistake, London: J. Almon et al., Act I, Scene 3, p. 12,[8]
      Very courtly and correctly spoken on all sides, my lord;
    • 1980, Anthony Burgess, chapter 74, in Earthly Powers[9], New York: Simon & Schuster, page 661:
      The driver waited courtly by the open doors of the saloon.