i Register
In some senses, courtly is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.
courtly
UK /ˈkɔːtli/ US /ˈkɔɹtli/
adj 3adv 1
Collocations
5ADJ.
deep, present
VERB + COURTLY
instruct, made, sang, talk
COURTLY + NOUN
bow, thee, wit
PREP.
about
ADV.
correctly, princely
Definitions
adj
1
Befitting of a royal court; reflecting the manners or behaviour of people at court.
He swept off his hat and made a deep courtly bow.
The troubadours sang songs about courtly love.
2
Of or relating to a royal court.
She tried to remain aloof from courtly intrigues.
in houres secure from courtly strife
3
Overly eager to please or obey.
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,
That judgment James had notoriously obtained […] by dismissing scrupulous magistrates, and by placing on the bench other magistrates more courtly.
adv
1
In the manner of a royal court; in a manner befitting of a royal court.
Then will I deck thee Princely, instruct thee courtly, And present thee to the Queene as my gift.
[…] where, in the name of wonder, have you learn’d to talk so courtly?
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
He swept off his hat and made a deep courtly bow.
Wiktionary02
The troubadours sang songs about courtly love.
Wiktionary03
Corin: You have too courtly a wit for me; I’ll rest.
Wiktionary04
Then will I deck thee Princely, instruct thee courtly, And present thee to the Queene as my gift.
Wiktionary05
[…] where, in the name of wonder, have you learn’d to talk so courtly?
Wiktionary06
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;
WiktionaryUsage Notes
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