1. 1. Polite behavior.
   2. A polite gesture or remark.
2. 1. Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence: They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.
   2. Willingness or generosity in providing something needed: free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.

1. Given or done as a polite gesture: paid a courtesy visit to the new neighbors.
2. Free of charge: courtesy tickets for the reporters.

[Middle English courtesie, from Old French, from corteis, courtly. See courteous.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.