Polite — Po*lite , a. [Compar. {Politer}; superl. {Politest}.] [L. politus, p. p. of polire to polish: cf. F. poli. See {Polish}, v.] 1. Smooth; polished. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Rays of light falling on a polite surface. Sir I. Newton. [1913 Webster] 2.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
polite — [pə līt′] adj. [L politus, pp. of polire, to POLISH] 1. having or showing culture or good taste; polished; cultured; refined [polite society, polite letters] 2. having or showing good manners; esp., courteous, considerate, tactful, etc. SYN.… … English World dictionary
Polite — Po*lite , v. t. To polish; to refine; to render polite. [Obs.] Ray. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
polite — ► ADJECTIVE (politer, politest) 1) courteous and well mannered. 2) cultured and refined: polite society. DERIVATIVES politely adverb politeness noun. ORIGIN Latin politus polished, made smooth , from polire … English terms dictionary
polite — index diplomatic, discreet, formal, obeisant Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
polite — (adj.) mid 13c., from L. politus refined, elegant, lit. polished, pp. of polire to polish, to make smooth. Used literally at first in English; sense of elegant, cultured is first recorded c.1500, that of behaving courteously is 1762 … Etymology dictionary
polite — *civil, courteous, courtly, gallant, chivalrous Analogous words: *suave, urbane, diplomatic, politic: *thoughtful, considerate, attentive Antonyms: impolite … New Dictionary of Synonyms
polite — [adj] mannerly, civilized affable, amenable, amiable, attentive, bland, civil, complaisant, concerned, conciliatory, condescending, considerate, cordial, courteous, courtly, cultured, deferential, diplomatic, elegant, friendly, genteel, gentle,… … New thesaurus
polite — po|lite S3 [pəˈlaıt] adj [Date: 1400 1500; : Latin; Origin: , past participle of polire; POLISH1] 1.) behaving or speaking in a way that is correct for the social situation you are in, and showing that you are careful to consider other people s… … Dictionary of contemporary English
polite — adjective 1 behaving or speaking in a way that is correct for the social situation you are in, and showing that you are careful to consider other people s needs and feelings: a polite refusal | What polite well behaved children! | it is polite to … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
polite */ — UK [pəˈlaɪt] / US adjective Word forms polite : adjective polite comparative politer superlative politest a) someone who is polite behaves towards other people in a pleasant way that follows all the usual rules of society polite to: You must be… … English dictionary
