I. ˈkər-tə-sē, Brit also ˈkȯr- noun
( plural -sies )
Etymology: Middle English corteisie, from Anglo-French curteisie, from curteis
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : courteous behavior
b. : a courteous act or expression
2.
a. : general allowance despite facts : indulgence
hills called mountains by courtesy only
b. : consideration, cooperation, and generosity in providing something (as a gift or privilege) ; also : agency , means — used chiefly in the phrases through the courtesy of or by courtesy of or sometimes simply courtesy of
II. adjective
Date: 1613
: granted, provided, or performed as a courtesy or by way of courtesy
made a courtesy call on the ambassador