comity Hear it!

comity Definition

com·ity (käm′ə tē)

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

comity Law Definition

n

The deference and recognition that the courts of one jurisdiction give to the law and the judicial decisions and proceedings of another jurisdiction as a matter of courtesy and respect rather than out of obligation. For example, comity normally prevents a federal court from interfering with a state criminal action. Likewise, American courts usually recognize the judicial decisions (for example, a judgment or a divorce decree) of another country if it is determined that the judicial procedures of that country are substantially fair. See also abstention, full faith and credit, and relinquishment.
comity Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • nation: Likewise, no economic problem, however minor it appears, can be solved outside the comity of nations.
  • Christendom: This volume explores the formative period when Scotland acquired the characteristics that enabled it to enter fully into the comity of medieval Christendom.