POLI'TE, a. [L. politus, polished, from polio, supra.] 1. Literally, smooth, glossy, and used in this sense till within a century. Rays of light falling on a polite surface.[This application of the word is, I believe, entirely obsolete.]2. Being polished or elegant in manners; refined in behavior; well bred. He marries, bows at court and grows polite.3. Courteous; complaisant; obliging. His manners were warm without insincerity, and polite without pomp.
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