1. A formal etiquette or respectful behavior and genteel courtesy: When Sarah went to the final dance at the end of her ballroom-dancing lessons, she wore her best dress, matching shoes and gloves because she was striving to perform the politesse that she learned during her dancing sessions.
2. Etymology: from French, from Old French, "cleanliness"; from Italian pulitezza, politezza, from Latin pulire, "to polish, to clean".