POLI'TE, adjective [Latin 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.