courtly

comparative courtlier · superlative courtliest

1. Befitting of a royal court; reflecting the manners or behaviour of people at court; stately, rich or fine, and so suitable for a royal court.

   courtly furniture

   5 more examples

   He swept off his hat and made a deep courtly bow.

   The troubadours sang songs about courtly love.

   You have too courtly a wit for me; I’ll rest.

   c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]

   […] you must give men of Quality leave to speak in a Language more Gentile and Courtly than the ordinary sort of mankind.

   1682, Aphra Behn, “The Roundheads or, The Good Old Cause”, in et al., London: D. Brown, act III, scene 1, page 23

   He is a Master of Civility, no less well-bred to his own Sex than courtly to the other.

   1715, Homer, “Book III”, in Alexander Pope, transl., The Iliad of Homer, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC, page 11

   Synonyms: refined, dignified, genteel, well-mannered

2. broadlyOf or relating to courtly love or courtship.
3. Of or relating to a royal court.

   She tried to remain aloof from courtly intrigues.

   3 more examples

   in houres secure from courtly strife

   a. 1627, John Beaumont, “Horat. Lib. 2. Sat. 6.”, in Bosworth-Field with a Taste of the Variety of Other Poems, London: Henry Seile, page 40

   The rich are in general slaves to fear, and submit to courtly power with the trembling duplicity of a spaniel.

   1775–1776 (date written), [Thomas Paine], “Thoughts, on the Present State of American Affairs”, in Common Sense; […], Philadelphia, Pa.: […] R[obert] Bell, […], published 10 January 1776, →OCLC, page 40

   He had for years held some clerical office appertaining to courtly matters, which had enabled him to live in London, […]

   1857, Anthony Trollope, chapter III, in Barchester Towers. […], volume I, London: Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans, & Roberts, →OCLC, page 30

4. obsoleteOverly eager to please or obey.

   That judgment James had notoriously obtained […] by dismissing scrupulous magistrates, and by placing on the bench other magistrates more courtly.

   1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter VII, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC, page 152

   1 more example

   Here FLATT’RY, eldest born of guile, / Weaves with rare skill the silken smile, / The courtly cringe, the supple bow, / The private squeeze, the Levee vow,

   1764, C[harles] Churchill, “Book I”, in The Duellist. A Poem. […], London: […] G. Kearsly, […]; W[illiam] Flexney, […]; J. Coote, […]; C. Henderson, […]; J. Gardiner, […]; and J. Almon, […], →OCLC, page 29

   Synonyms: flattering, obsequious, servile

comparative more courtly · superlative most courtly

1. In the manner of a royal court; in a manner befitting of a royal court.

   1766, Elizabeth Griffith, The Double Mistake, London: J. Almon et al., Act I, Scene 3, p. 12, Very courtly and correctly spoken on all sides, my lord;

   3 more examples

   Then will I deck thee Princely, instruct thee courtly, / And present thee to the Queene as my gift.

   1598, Robert Greene, The Scottish Historie of James the Fourth, London, act I, scene 1

   […] where, in the name of wonder, have you learn’d to talk so courtly?

   1673, John Dryden, The Assignation, London: Henry Herringman, act II, scene 3, page 17

   The driver waited courtly by the open doors of the saloon.

   1980, Anthony Burgess, chapter 74, in Earthly Powers, New York: Simon & Schuster, page 661

   Synonyms: courtlily