[f. COURTLY + -NESS.] The quality of being courtly; courtly civility or ‘grace of mien’; courtly elegance of manners.
1599–1623. Minsheu, Sp. Dict., Cortesanamente, courteously, with much courtlinesse or courtesie.
1651. Ld. Digby, To Sir K. Digby (J.). The slightest part that you excel in is courtliness.
1764. Hurd, Uses For. Trav., VIII. (R.). All the courtliness and gallantry you make me master of.
1801. Southey, Lett. (1856), I. 182. Not quite accordant with his general courtliness of conduct.
1879. McCarthy, Own Times, II. xxi. 108. It was but the extravagance of courtliness which called his polished … speeches oratory.
