CIVILITY

politeness, civility

(noun) the act of showing regard for others

civility

(noun) formal or perfunctory politeness

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

civility (countable and uncountable, plural civilities)

Speech or behaviour that is fit for civil interactions; politeness, courtesy. [from 16th c.]

(chiefly, in plural) An individual act or expression of polite behaviour; a courtesy. [from 17th c.]

(now, archaic) The state or fact of being civilized; civilization. [from 16th c.]

(obsolete) A civil office; a civil capacity. [16th c.]

Source: Wiktionary

Ci*vil"i*ty, n.; pl. Civilities. Etym: [L. civilitas: cf. F. civilité. See Civil.]

1. The state of society in which the relations and duties of a citizen are recognized and obeyed; a state of civilization. [Obs.] Monarchies have risen from barbarrism to civility, and fallen again to ruin. Sir J. Davies. The gradual depature of all deeper signification from the word civility has obliged the creation of another word -- civilization. Trench.

2. A civil office, or a civil process [Obs.] To serve in a civility. Latimer.

3. Courtesy; politeness; kind attention; good breeding; a polite act or expression. The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be. Chesterfield. The sweet civilities of life. Dryden.

Syn.

– Urbanity; affability; complaisance.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition