from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Urbanity \Ur*ban"i*ty\, n. [L. urbanitas; cf. F. urbanit['e].]
[1913 Webster]
1. The quality or state of being urbane; civility or courtesy
of manners; politeness; refinement.
[1913 Webster]
The marquis did the honors of his house with the
urbanity of his country. --W. Irving.
[1913 Webster]
2. Polite wit; facetiousness. [Obs.] --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
Raillery in the sauce of civil entertainment; and
without some such tincture of urbanity, good humor
falters. --L'Estrange.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Politeness; suavity; affability; courtesy.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906)
URBANITY, n. The kind of civility that urban observers ascribe to
dwellers in all cities but New York. Its commonest expression is
heard in the words, "I beg your pardon," and it is not consistent with
disregard of the rights of others.
The owner of a powder mill
Was musing on a distant hill --
Something his mind foreboded --
When from the cloudless sky there fell
A deviled human kidney! Well,
The man's mill had exploded.
His hat he lifted from his head;
"I beg your pardon, sir," he said;
"I didn't know 'twas loaded."
Swatkin