I. əˈmenəd.ē, -ēn-, -ətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English amenite, from Latin amoenitat-, amoenitas, from amoenus pleasant + -itat-, -itas -ity; probably akin to Latin amare to love — more at amateur
1.
a. : the quality of being pleasant or agreeable (as in situation or climate or in manners or disposition)
the amenity of the countryside
large houses are divided up into smaller rooms with a lower standard of amenity — Stuart Piggott
his amenity of temper
b.
(1) : the attractiveness and aesthetic or nonmonetary value of real estate or of any structure for purely residential use
woods … of which a good deal is capable of immediate realization without in the least detracting from the amenity — Financial Times
(2) : a feature (as architectural distinction or desirability of location) conducive to such attractiveness and value
the speculative builder who wants to put up a house regardless of its effect on the amenities — Manchester Guardian Weekly
2.
a. : a feature, trait, or characteristic that makes for pleasantness
the amenities of literature
b. : something that conduces to physical or material comfort or convenience or to a pleasant and agreeable life
amenities like shops and community centers
every amenity … including … showers, central heating, and first-class cuisine — Hugh G. Smith
c. : an area or location that provides comforts, conveniences, or attractive surroundings to residents or visitors
a small … house in a choice amenity with clear bright sunny outlook — Scotsman
preserving the region and … developing it as an amenity — African Wild Life
3. usually plural
a. : manner, civility, or relationship usually expressive of or conducive to pleasantness or smoothness of social intercourse
the amenities of diplomacy
b. : an act or form conventionally observed especially in social intercourse
the visitor got the amenities over quickly and got down to business
one of the amenities which … lawyers have recognized … is the obligation to refrain from deliberately stealing each other's clients — H.S.Drinker
II. adjective
: of, relating to, or providing an amenity
amenity values of the countryside — Hugh G. Smith
an amenity tree for streets and parks