politesse

See also Politesse

English

Etymology

From the French politesse, from the Italian politezza, from polito, past participle of pulire (“to polish”, “to clean”), from the Latin polire, present active infinite form of poliō (“I polish”, “I smooth”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /pɒlɪˈtɛs/
• (US) IPA: /pɑləˈtɛs/

Noun

politesse (plural politesses)

1. Civility, politeness, courtesy or gallantry; or an instance of this.
   • 1978, Iris Murdoch, The Sea, The Sea, Vintage 1999, pp. 56-7:

     The reference in his letter to ‘having a drink’ is of course just an empty politesse.

   • 2011, Thomas Penn, Winter King, Penguin 2012, p. 7:

     The soft politesse concealed a sharp observer, a gleaner of information, cool under pressure and used to having to think several steps ahead […].

Translations

civility, courtesy

• French: savoir-vivre (fr) m

• Swedish: artighet (sv) c

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French

Etymology

From Italian politezza.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /pɔlitɛs/

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

politesse f (plural politesses)

1. politeness, courtesy
2. polite remark/action