Po*lite" (?), a.
[Compar. Politer (?);
superl. Politest.] [L. politus, p. p.
of polire to polish: cf. F. poli. See Polish,
v.] 1. Smooth; polished.
[Obs.]
Rays of light falling on a polite
surface.
Sir I. Newton.
2. Smooth and refined in behavior or manners;
well bred; courteous; complaisant; obliging; civil.
He marries, bows at court, and grows
polite.
Pope.
3. Characterized by refinement, or a high
degree of finish; as, polite literature.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Polished; refined; well bred; courteous; affable;
urbane; civil; courtly; elegant; genteel.
Po*lite", v. t. To polish; to
refine; to render polite. [Obs.] Ray.