courtly
courtly
Definition
courtly (kôrt′lē)
adjective -·lier, -·li·est
- suitable for a king's court; dignified, polite, elegant, etc. courtly manners
- flattering, esp. in an obsequious way
Etymology: ME
adverb -·lier, -·li·est
in a courtly manner
court′·li·ness noun
courtly
Synonyms
courtly
Usage Examples
Modifies a noun
- mannershe: It's an agent he's a great courtly mannershe 's got th in an.
- love: In courtly love, marriage had no important part.
- poetry: The secular texts, apart from occasional local orthographical variants, are typical of courtly lyric poetry in 14th century France.
- dance: The workshop began with an introduction to the complex etiquette of courtly dance.
- manner: In it he invented a new persona for the devil, endowing him with courtly manners.
- circle: In courtly circles at least, there were also rules on the rationing of food to messes.
Modifying Another Word
- typically: In this way she at first seems to back up a typically courtly idea of " love at first sight.
- even: In print he sounded fierce; in life he was gentle, even courtly.
courtly Quotes
Be courtly ay in clething and costlyarrayit, That hurtis yow nought worth a hen; yowr husband pays for all.
Browse dictionary entries near courtly
- courtliness
- courtier
- courthouse
- courtesy card
- courtesy
- courtesan
- courteously
- courteous
- court tennis
- court shoe
