Courtesy title

Courtesy title
Courtesy Cour"te*sy (k?r"t?-s?), n.; pl. {Courtesies} (-s?z). [OE. cortaisie, corteisie, courtesie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, F. courtoisie, fr. curteis, corteis. See {Courteous}.] 1. Politeness; civility; urbanity; courtliness. [1913 Webster]

And trust thy honest-offered courtesy, With oft is sooner found in lowly sheds, With smoky rafters, than in tapestry walls And courts of princes, where it first was named, And yet is most pretended. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Pardon me, Messer Claudio, if once more I use the ancient courtesies of speech. --Longfellow. [1913 Webster]

2. An act of civility or respect; an act of kindness or favor performed with politeness. [1913 Webster]

My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. Favor or indulgence, as distinguished from right; as, a title given one by courtesy. [1913 Webster]

{Courtesy title}, a title assumed by a person, or popularly conceded to him, to which he has no valid claim; as, the courtesy title of Lord prefixed to the names of the younger sons of noblemen.

Syn: Politeness; urbanity; civility; complaisance; affability; courteousness; elegance; refinement; courtliness; good breeding. See {Politeness}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Courtesy title — In the context of nobility, a courtesy title is a title that is not a substantive title but rather is used through custom or courtesy.[1] In France, for example, cadet males of noble families, especially landed aristocracy, may assume a lower… …   Wikipedia

  • courtesy title — noun 1. : a title granted by usage and in some cases royal permission to certain lineal relatives of British peers: as a. : a title in the style of a peerage borne by an heir in the direct line of a duke or marquess and by the eldest son of an… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Courtesy title — The courtesy title, one step below that of the actual rank of an heir. For example, a duke s first son could style himself earl , unless the family actually possessed other titles, in which case he would use the lesser titles as his own …   Medieval glossary

  • courtesy title — 1. a title applied or assumed through custom, courtesy, or association and without regard for its being officially merited. 2. a title allowed by custom, as to the children of dukes. [1860 65] * * * …   Universalium

  • courtesy title — noun Date: 1865 1. a title (as “Lord” added to the Christian name of a peer s younger son) used in addressing certain lineal relatives of British peers 2. a title (as “Professor” for any teacher) taken by the user and commonly accepted without… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • courtesy title — honorary title, title given for respectful reasons …   English contemporary dictionary

  • courtesy title — noun a title given to someone, especially the son or daughter of a peer, that has no legal validity …   English new terms dictionary

  • courtesy title — cour′tesy ti tle n. a title allowed by custom, as to the children of dukes • Etymology: 1860–65 …   From formal English to slang

  • courtesy title — /ˈkɜtəsi taɪtl/ (say kertuhsee tuytl) noun a title allowed by custom to a person who has no legal claim to it …  

  • Courtesy — Cour te*sy (k?r t? s?), n.; pl. {Courtesies} ( s?z). [OE. cortaisie, corteisie, courtesie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, F. courtoisie, fr. curteis, corteis. See {Courteous}.] 1. Politeness; civility; urbanity; courtliness.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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