• (RP) IPA: /ˈkɜːtəsi/
• (GA) IPA: /ˈkɝtəsi/

courtesy

1. (uncountable) Polite behavior.

   Please extend them the courtesy of your presence.

   He was always known for his grace, kindness, and courtesy to people of every rank.

2. (countable) A polite gesture or remark, especially as opposed to an obligation or standard practice.

   I offered them a ride simply as a courtesy.

   • 1598–1599 (first performance)​, William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act V, scene i]:

     My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you.

3. (uncountable) Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence.

   They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.

4. (uncountable) Willingness or generosity in providing something needed.

   They received free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.

   [on a label, caption, etc.] Courtesy the Smith Foundation: [e.g.] use of this image was allowed through the courtesy of the Smith Foundation.

5. A curtsey.

   • The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual.

6. (legal) The life interest that the surviving husband has in the real or heritable estate of his wife.

• French: courtoisie
• German: Höflichkeit
• Italian: cortesia
• Portuguese: cortesia
• Russian: ве́жливость
• Spanish: cortesía

• French: politesse
• German: Höflichkeit
• Italian: cortesia
• Portuguese: cortesia
• Russian: ве́жливость

• French: indulgence
• Italian: cortesia
• Portuguese: indulgência
• Russian: снисхожде́ние

• Portuguese: cortesia

courtesy (courtesies, present participle courtesying; past and past participle courtesied)

1. Alternative form of curtsey

   • Well, but Polly attended, as I said; and there were strange simperings, and bowing, and courtesying, between them; the honest gentleman seeming not to know how to let his mistress wait upon him […]

courtesy (not comparable) (used only before the noun)

1. Given or done as a polite gesture.

   We paid a courtesy visit to the new neighbors.

2. Supplied free of charge.

   Synonyms: complimentary, free of charge, gratis

   The event planners offered courtesy tickets for the reporters.

• Portuguese: de cortesia
• Spanish: de cortesía

• Portuguese: grátis
• Russian: беспла́тный
• Spanish: de cortesía