polite

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
polite
    adj 1: showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior,
           etc. [ant: {impolite}]
    2: marked by refinement in taste and manners; "cultivated
       speech"; "cultured Bostonians"; "cultured tastes"; "a genteel
       old lady"; "polite society" [syn: {civilized}, {civilised},
       {cultivated}, {cultured}, {genteel}, {polite}]
    3: not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal)
       adherence to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy
       consideration for others; "even if he didn't like them he
       should have been civil"- W.S. Maugham [syn: {civil},
       {polite}] [ant: {rude}, {uncivil}]
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Polite \Po*lite"\, v. t.
   To polish; to refine; to render polite. [Obs.] --Ray.
   [1913 Webster]
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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. Smooth and refined in behavior or manners; well bred;
      courteous; complaisant; obliging; civil.
      [1913 Webster]

            He marries, bows at court, and grows polite. --Pope.
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   3. Characterized by refinement, or a high degree of finish;
      as, polite literature. --Macaulay.
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   Syn: Polished; refined; well bred; courteous; affable;
        urbane; civil; courtly; elegant; genteel.
        [1913 Webster]
    
from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
26 Moby Thesaurus words for "polite":
      accommodating, affable, agreeable, attentive, civil, complaisant,
      considerate, cordial, courteous, deferential, diplomatic, fair,
      formal, genteel, graceful, gracious, mannerly, obliging, polished,
      proper, respectful, solicitous, tactful, thoughtful, urbane,
      well-mannered

    

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