pəˈlīt, pōˈ-, usu -īd.+V adjective
( often -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English polyt, from Latin politus, past participle of polire to smooth, polish — more at polish
1. obsolete : polished 1a
edifices … made of the politest stone — William Whiston
2. obsolete : in good order : well kept : neat , tidy
3.
a. : of, belonging to, or having the characteristics of advanced culture : exhibiting polish, cultivation, elegance, and refinement : characterized by elevated and preferential usages
Latin … became the vehicle of polite as well as official intercourse — H.O.Taylor
part of a polite schooling — F.J.Mather
polite society
polite languages
b. : marked by refined cultured interests and pursuits especially in arts and belles lettres and usually not scientific, utilitarian, or controversial in character
the Revolutionary upheaval produced no polite literature … comparable to its utilitarian prose — V.L.Parrington
4.
a. : showing or characterized by correct social usage : marked by or exhibiting an appearance of consideration, tact, deference, courtesy, or grace resulting sometimes from sincere consideration of others and sometimes from mere regard for etiquette
polite answer
polite letter
a man who thinks of living in the great world must be gallant, polite , and attentive to please the women — Earl of Chesterfield
b. : marked by a lack of roughness or crudities : gentle or moderate in tone : designed not to offend
things … ignored or minimized in polite history — G.G.Coulton
Synonyms: see civil