different between gallantry vs politesse

English

Etymology

From French galanterie, equivalent to gallant +? -ry.

Noun

gallantry (countable and uncountable, plural gallantries)

1. courage
   • 1926, P. G. Wodehouse, 'Lord Emsworth and the Girl Friend', Penguin, Harmondsworth: 1992, p 98.

     'I have the greatest respect for the young lady to whom you refer. She behaved on a certain recent occasion - on two recent occasions - with notable gallantry and resource, and I won't have her bally-ragged.'

2. chivalrous courtliness, especially towards women
3. an instance of gallant behaviour or speech

Synonyms

• gallanthood
• gallantness

Translations

English

Etymology

From French politesse, from Italian politezza, from polito, past participle of pulire (“to clean”), from Latin polire, present active infinite form of poli? (“I polish”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /p?l??t?s/
• (US) IPA^(key): /p?l??t?s/

Noun

politesse (countable and uncountable, plural politesses)

1. Civility, politeness, courtesy or gallantry; or an instance of this.

Translations

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian politezza.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p?.li.t?s/
• Rhymes: -?s

Noun

politesse f (plural politesses)

1. politeness, courtesy

   Antonym: impolitesse

2. polite remark/action

Related terms

• poli

Descendants

• ? English: politesse

Further reading

• “politesse” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).