The AI-powered English dictionary
countable and uncountable, plural politesses
Civility, politeness, courtesy or gallantry; or an instance of this. quotations examples
So if you meet me, have some courtesy / Have some sympathy, and some taste / Use all your well-learned politesse / Or I'll lay your soul to waste
1968, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger (lyrics and music), “Sympathy for the Devil”, in Beggars Banquet, performed by Rolling Stones
The reference in his letter to ‘having a drink’ is of course just an empty politesse.
1978, Iris Murdoch, The Sea, The Sea, Vintage, published 1999, pages 56–57
The soft politesse concealed a sharp observer, a gleaner of information, cool under pressure and used to having to think several steps ahead […]
2011, Thomas Penn, Winter King, Penguin, published 2012, page 7