courtesy
UK[ˈkɜːtəsi]US[ˈkɜːrtəsi]
n
polite behavior that shows respect for other people.
n
a polite remark or considerate action.
n
something that is done or allowed as a special favor or privilege, not as a right.
Morpheme Breakdown
court
esy
court
court
esy
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'courtesy' traces its lineage to the latin 'cohors', which originally meant an enclosed yard or farmyard. this evolved into the late latin 'curtis', and into old french 'cort' or 'curt', referring to the sovereign's residence and the attendant courtly society. the behavior and refined manners expected in such a royal court became encapsulated in the old french term 'cortesie'. entering english in the 13th century, 'courtesy' thus shifted from a literal association with the physical court to the abstract concept of polished, respectful, and considerate conduct emblematic of courtly life.
Analysis
Structure: court (court) + esy (noun suffix)
court (from old french 'cort', 'curt', from latin 'cohors, cohort-' meaning 'enclosure, courtyard, retinue'); esy (a noun-forming suffix, variant of -cy, from latin '-itia', '-itium').
Examples
he didn't even have the courtesy to reply to my email.
the pictures were provided courtesy of the museum.
as a professional courtesy, the consultation fee was waived.