noun pl. comities -·ties

1. courteous behavior; politeness; civility
2. comity of nations
3. agreement among cooperating Christian denominations to avoid duplication of churches, missions, etc. in specific areas
4. Law the principle by which the courts of one jurisdiction may give effect to the laws and decisions of another, or may stay their own proceedings in deference to those in another jurisdiction

Etymology: ME comite, association < L comitas < comis, polite, kind; earlier cosmis, prob. < co- (see com-), with + *smi-s < IE base *smei-, to smile