Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Courtly
1.
Relating or belonging to a court.
2.
Elegant; polite; courtlike; flattering.
In
courtly
company or at my beads. Shakespeare
3.
Disposed to favor the great; favoring the policy or party of the court; obsequious.
Macaulay.
Court′ly
,adv.
In the manner of courts; politely; gracefully; elegantly.
They can produce nothing so
courtly
writ. Dryden
Webster 1828 Edition
Courtly
COURTLY
,Adj.
COURTLY
,adv.
Definition 2024
courtly
courtly
English
Adjective
courtly (comparative courtlier, superlative courtliest)
- Suitable for a royal court; refined, dignified.
- 1598, William Shakespeare, As You Like It, III. ii. 666:
- Corin. You have too courtly a wit for me; I’ll rest.
- 1598, William Shakespeare, As You Like It, III. ii. 666:
- Obsequious, flattering.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Macaulay to this entry?)