Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PO-LITE, 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. – Newton. [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. – Pope.
3. Courteous; complaisant; obliging. His manners were warm without insincerity, and polite without pomp. – Anon.