courtly behavior
Elegant formal conduct
Courtly behavior is the formal, elegant conduct associated with royal courts—gracious manners, refined speech, and ceremonial politeness.
The phrase suggests old-world dignity and deference: He greeted her with courtly behavior, bowing slightly as he took her hand.
The term can be sincere or gently ironic, describing manners that seem quaint or excessively formal in modern contexts.
- decorumFitting social conduct
- good mannersSocially acceptable conduct
- curtsyRespectful knee-bending gesture
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
- chivalryKnightly code of honor
fair lady · bow · hat tip · civility · honor · politeness · grace · social graces · courtship · deference · tactfulness · loyalty · poise · etiquette · formality · poetic expression · flourish · obeisance
- honor codeshonor, duty, loyalty, chivalry, sworn oath
- medieval customsetiquette, bowing, manners, curtsy, kneeling
- Victorian etiquettecalling hours, visiting cards, chaperoning, propriety, decorum
- etiquettemanners, politeness, etiquette, table manners, courtesy
courtly behaviorboorishness
Crude, uncouth conduct
crudeness · vulgarity · coarseness · uncouthness · loutishness
courtly behaviorinformality
Relaxed, unofficial tone
casualness · slovenliness · familiarity · sloppiness · nonchalance
courtly behaviorrudeness
Disrespectful social behavior
disrespect · insolence · discourtesy · incivility · impoliteness