politesse
See also: Politesse
English
Etymology
From French politesse, from Italian politezza, from polito, past participle of pulire (“to clean”), from Latin polire, present active infinite form of poliō (“I polish”).
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /pɒlɪˈtɛs/
- (US) IPA(key): /pɑləˈtɛs/
Noun
politesse (countable and uncountable, plural politesses)
- Civility, politeness, courtesy or gallantry; or an instance of this.
- 1968, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger (lyrics and music), “Sympathy for the Devil”, in Beggars Banquet, performed by Rolling Stones:
- So if you meet me, have some courtesy / Have some sympathy, and some taste / Use all your well-learned politesse / Or I'll lay your soul to waste
- 1978, Iris Murdoch, The Sea, The Sea, Vintage, published 1999, pages 56-57:
- The reference in his letter to ‘having a drink’ is of course just an empty politesse.
- 2011, Thomas Penn, Winter King, Penguin, published 2012, page 7:
- The soft politesse concealed a sharp observer, a gleaner of information, cool under pressure and used to having to think several steps ahead […]
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Translations
civility, courtesy
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French
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian politezza.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /pɔ.li.tɛs/
- Rhymes: -ɛs
Audio (file)
Noun
politesse f (plural politesses)
- politeness, courtesy
- Antonym: impolitesse
- polite remark/action
Derived terms
- brûler la politesse
Related terms
- poli
Descendants
- → English: politesse
Further reading
- “politesse”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.