courtly

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Befitting of a royal court

   Befitting of a royal court; reflecting the manners or behaviour of people at court.

   • He swept off his hat and made a deep courtly bow.
   • The troubadours sang songs about courtly love.
   • Corin: You have too courtly a wit for me; I’ll rest.
2. 2

   Of or relating to a royal court.

   • She tried to remain aloof from courtly intrigues.
   • in houres secure from courtly strife
   • The rich are in general slaves to fear, and submit to courtly power with the trembling duplicity of a spaniel.
3. 3

   Overly eager to please or obey.

   • Here FLATT’RY, eldest born of guile, Weaves with rare skill the silken smile, The courtly cringe, the supple bow, The private squeeze, the Levee vow,
   • That judgment James had notoriously obtained […] by dismissing scrupulous magistrates, and by placing on the bench other magistrates more courtly.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      In the manner of a royal court

      In the manner of a royal court; in a manner befitting of a royal court.

      • Then will I deck thee Princely, instruct thee courtly, And present thee to the Queene as my gift.
      • […] where, in the name of wonder, have you learn’d to talk so courtly?
      • 1766, Elizabeth Griffith, The Double Mistake, London: J. Almon et al., Act I, Scene 3, p. 12, Very courtly and correctly spoken on all sides, my lord;

The neighborhood

• neighborcourteous
• neighborcourtlike