Emily Dickinson Lexicon

polite, adj. [L. polīt-us, polished, accomplished, refined, cultivated, polite < polīre, smooth, polish.]

1. Modest; humble; proper; appropriately respectful.
2. Smoothed; polished; [fig.] cleansed; made new.
3. Cultured; refined; elegant; genteel; sophisticated.
4. Courteous; obliging; civil; well-mannered; well-bred.
5. Kind; considerate; thoughtful; accommodating; attentive; magnanimous.