German

Noun

Politesse f ‎(genitive Politesse, plural Politessen)

1. female traffic warden, traffic directrix

Synonyms

• Polizeihostess, PH

See also

• Knöllchen

External links

• Politesse on the German Wikipedia.Wikipedia ^de

English

Noun

politesse ‎(plural politesses)

1. Civility, politeness, courtesy or gallantry; or an instance of this.
   • 1978, Iris Murdoch, The Sea, The Sea, Vintage 1999, pp. 56-7:

     The reference in his letter to ‘having a drink’ is of course just an empty politesse.

   • 2011, Thomas Penn, Winter King, Penguin 2012, p. 7:

     The soft politesse concealed a sharp observer, a gleaner of information, cool under pressure and used to having to think several steps ahead […].

Translations

French

Etymology

From Italian politezza.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pɔlitɛs/

Noun

politesse f ‎(plural politesses)

1. politeness, courtesy
2. polite remark/action