courtesy
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
courtesies
plural
courtesies
Britannica Dictionary definition of COURTESY
1
[noncount]
:
polite behavior that shows respect for other people
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They treated us with courtesy and kindness.
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He didn't even have the common courtesy [=he was not even as polite as people can usually be expected to be] to say goodbye when he left.
2
[count]
a
:
something that you do because it is polite, kind, etc.
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She did it as a courtesy, not because she had to.
b
:
something that you say to be polite especially when you meet someone
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Everyone knows each other here, so we won't bother with the usual courtesies.
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They shook hands and exchanged courtesies before beginning their discussion.
courtesy of
◊ If you say that something has been provided through the courtesy of or (by) courtesy of a person, organization, business, etc., you are politely saying that they paid for it, gave it, or let it be used.
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The flowers were provided through the courtesy of a local florist.
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This program is brought to you courtesy of our sponsors. [=it has been paid for by our sponsors]
◊ The word courtesy is sometimes used informally by itself in this way.
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Photo courtesy Helen Jones. [=Helen Jones is allowing the photograph to be used]
◊ The phrase courtesy of is sometimes also used informally to indicate the cause of something.
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I have a bad cold now, courtesy of my brother. [=I have a bad cold that I caught from my brother]
2
courtesy
/ˈkɚtəsi/
adjective
2
courtesy
/ˈkɚtəsi/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of COURTESY
always used before a noun
1
:
done in order to be polite
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They paid a courtesy call on the ambassador. [=they visited the ambassador because it was the polite thing to do]
2
:
provided for free
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Important visitors to the conference were provided with courtesy cars.
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He picked up the airport courtesy phone [=a telephone that customers can use to call the company that provides it] to call for a car.
