genteelism
English
Etymology
genteel + -ism
Noun
genteelism (countable and uncountable, plural genteelisms)
- Genteel behaviour.
- (countable) A nicer word used instead of a vulgar or distasteful word
- Synonym: euphemism
- 2004, Alan Hollinghurst, The Line of Beauty, New York: Bloomsbury, OCLC 1036692193:
- Were such cheerful genteelisms any use?