What does politeness mean?

Definitions for politeness
po·lite·ness

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word politeness.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. politeness, nicenessnoun

    a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage

  2. politeness, civilitynoun

    the act of showing regard for others

Wiktionary

  1. politenessnoun

    The act of being polite.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Politenessnoun

    Elegance of manners; gentility; good breeding.

    Etymology: politesse, Fr. from polite.

    I have seen the dullest men aiming at wit, and others, with as little pretensions, affecting politeness in manners and discourse. Jonathan Swift.

Wikipedia

  1. Politeness

    Politeness is the practical application of good manners, or etiquette so as not to offend others. It is a culturally defined phenomenon, and therefore what is considered polite in one culture can sometimes be quite rude, or simply eccentric in another cultural context. While the goal of politeness is to refrain from behaving in an offensive way so as not to offend others and make all people feel relaxed and comfortable with one another, these culturally defined standards at times may be manipulated.

ChatGPT

  1. politeness

    Politeness is a social behavior that involves treating others with respect, kindness, courtesy, and consideration. It is often associated with good manners, appropriate etiquette, and respect for cultural and social norms. It typically involves being aware of and attentive to the needs and feelings of others, and behaving in a way that minimizes potential offense or harm and promotes a positive and respectful interaction.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Politenessnoun

    high finish; smoothness; burnished elegance

  2. Politenessnoun

    the quality or state of being polite; refinement of manners; urbanity; courteous behavior; complaisance; obliging attentions

Wikidata

  1. Politeness

    Politeness is best expressed as the practical application of good manners or etiquette. It is a culturally defined phenomenon, and therefore what is considered polite in one culture can sometimes be quite rude or simply eccentric in another cultural context. While the goal of politeness is to make all of the parties relaxed and comfortable with one another, these culturally defined standards at times may be manipulated to inflict shame on a designated party. Anthropologists Penelope Brown and Stephen Levinson identified two kinds of politeness, deriving from Erving Goffman's concept of face: ⁕Negative politeness: Making a request less infringing, such as "If you don't mind..." or "If it isn't too much trouble..."; respects a person's right to act freely. In other words, deference. There is a greater use of indirect speech acts. ⁕Positive politeness: Seeks to establish a positive relationship between parties; respects a person's need to be liked and understood. Direct speech acts, swearing and flouting Grice's maxims can be considered aspects of positive politeness because: ⁕they show an awareness that the relationship is strong enough to cope with what would normally be considered impolite;they articulate an awareness of the other person's values, which fulfills the person's desire to be accepted.

The Roycroft Dictionary

  1. politeness

    1. The screen of language; the irony of civility; a fishing-rod. 2. A substitute for war. 3. To wipe your feet carefully on the common doormat before letting yourself in another's premises with a skeleton key. 4. Caliban in a boiled shirt, tuxedo and spats. (Politeness in the animal world is known after eating only; in the human world it is known both before and after eating, and, in a certain restricted circle, during eating.)

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of politeness in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of politeness in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of politeness in a Sentence

  1. Joseph Joubert:

    Politeness is the flower of humanity.

  2. Jules Renard:

    Clarity is the politeness of the man of letters.

  3. Sipho P Nkosi:

    Our pride will lead us to perish, but our politeness keeps us alive.

  4. Richard Brinsley Sheridan:

    He is the very pineapple of politeness!

  5. Ambrose Bierce:

    Politeness, n. The most acceptable hypocrisy.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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Translations for politeness

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"politeness." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/politeness>.

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