courtesy title

courtesy title
noun
1. : a title granted by usage and in some cases royal permission to certain lineal relatives of British peers: as
a. : a title in the style of a peerage borne by an heir in the direct line of a duke or marquess and by the eldest son of an earl and consisting in the case of the eldest son of the father's secondary title and in the case of the eldest son of the eldest son of another minor title attached to the peerage (as of the eldest son of the duke of Devonshire titled Marquess of Hartington and the eldest son of the marquess titled Earl of Burlington)
b. : a title consisting of the prefix “Lord”, “Lady”, or “the Honourable” added to the Christian name of other children of British peers
2. : a title taken by the user and commonly accepted without consideration of official right (as professor for any teacher or colonel for any notable citizen)

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noun, pl ⋯ titles [count]
: a polite and formal word that is used in place of someone's name or as part of someone's name

the courtesy titles “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” “Ms.,” “Dr.,” etc.

As a child, he was taught to address his elders with the courtesy titles “sir” and “ma'am.”

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ˈcourtesy title [courtesy title] noun
a title that sb is allowed to use but which has no legal status

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Courtesy title — Courtesy Cour te*sy (k?r t? s?), n.; pl. {Courtesies} ( s?z). [OE. cortaisie, corteisie, courtesie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, F. courtoisie, fr. curteis, corteis. See {Courteous}.] 1. Politeness; civility; urbanity;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Courtesy title — In the context of nobility, a courtesy title is a title that is not a substantive title but rather is used through custom or courtesy.[1] In France, for example, cadet males of noble families, especially landed aristocracy, may assume a lower… …   Wikipedia

  • Courtesy title — The courtesy title, one step below that of the actual rank of an heir. For example, a duke s first son could style himself earl , unless the family actually possessed other titles, in which case he would use the lesser titles as his own …   Medieval glossary

  • courtesy title — 1. a title applied or assumed through custom, courtesy, or association and without regard for its being officially merited. 2. a title allowed by custom, as to the children of dukes. [1860 65] * * * …   Universalium

  • courtesy title — noun Date: 1865 1. a title (as “Lord” added to the Christian name of a peer s younger son) used in addressing certain lineal relatives of British peers 2. a title (as “Professor” for any teacher) taken by the user and commonly accepted without… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • courtesy title — honorary title, title given for respectful reasons …   English contemporary dictionary

  • courtesy title — noun a title given to someone, especially the son or daughter of a peer, that has no legal validity …   English new terms dictionary

  • courtesy title — cour′tesy ti tle n. a title allowed by custom, as to the children of dukes • Etymology: 1860–65 …   From formal English to slang

  • courtesy title — /ˈkɜtəsi taɪtl/ (say kertuhsee tuytl) noun a title allowed by custom to a person who has no legal claim to it …  

  • Courtesy — Cour te*sy (k?r t? s?), n.; pl. {Courtesies} ( s?z). [OE. cortaisie, corteisie, courtesie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, F. courtoisie, fr. curteis, corteis. See {Courteous}.] 1. Politeness; civility; urbanity; courtliness.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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