Courtesy

n. politeness, good manners, cordiality, civility

Etiquette, one aspect of decorum, is a code that governs the expectations of social behavior, according to the contemporary conventional norm within a society, social class, or group. Usually unwritten, it may be codified in written form. Etiquette usually reflects formulas of conduct in which society or tradition have invested. An etiquette may reflect an underlying ethical code, or in may grow more as a fashion, as in eighteenth century Britain where apparently pointless acts like the manner in which a tea cup was held became important as indicators of upper class status. Like "culture", it is a word that has gradually grown plural, especially in a multi-ethnic society with many clashing expectations. Thus, it is now possible to refer to "an etiquette" or "a culture", realizing that these may not be universal. In Britain, though, the word etiquette has its roots in the eighteenth century, becoming a universal force in the nineteenth century to the extent that it has been described as the one word that aptly describes life during the reign of Queen Victoria [1].
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Noun
1. a courteous or respectful or considerate act
(hypernym) politeness, civility
(hyponym) attention
2. a courteous or respectful or considerate remark
(hypernym) remark, comment
3. a courteous manner
(synonym) good manners
(antonym) discourtesy, rudeness
(hypernym) manner, personal manner
(hyponym) politeness, niceness
(attribute) courteous

(v. t.)
To treat with civility.
  

(v. i.)
To make a respectful salutation or movement of respect; esp. (with reference to women), to bow the body slightly, with bending of the knes.
  

(n.)
Politeness; civility; urbanity; courtliness.
  

(n.)
Favor or indulgence, as distinguished from right; as, a title given one by courtesy.
  

(n.)
An act of civility, respect, or reverence, made by women, consisting of a slight depression or dropping of the body, with bending of the knees.
  

(n.)
An act of civility or respect; an act of kindness or favor performed with politeness.
  

Not one of the original chivalric virtues, the idea that a knight should be courteous came from the influence of the court , the ladies, and the romances . A knight was expected to be courteous to men of all stations, although the concept of what was 'courteous' changed over time. What was considered 'courteous' in the days of William the Marshal would be considered barbaric to the Dukes of Burgundy in the 15th century. The addition of courtesy to the marshal suite of virtues is one of the things that distinguishes chivalry from other warrior codes, for example from Bushido, the Japanese warrior code.