These words are used to characterize a manner of social intercourse that is designed to lease, or at least not to give offence. Polite implies punctilious observance of the forms of speech and action customary among well-bred persons: It was not polite of him to replay to your question so hastily and with such an obvious lack of thought. Civil is weaker than polite , suggesting nothing more than an avoidance of rudeness: a saleswoman who was civil but never really interested in helping her customers. To be courteous is to be polite while having also a warm regard for the feelings and dignity of others: a policeman who managed to be courteous to a furious woman who was abusing him without just cause. Courtly means polite or courteous in a ceremonial way, as befits a royal court; it is applied to men and implies an old-fashioned or elegant observance of formal courtesies, especially towards women: a courtly gentleman of the old school. A courtly foreign diplomat.

Mannerly and well-mannered are alike in suggesting the kind of politeness which is evidenced by strict adherence to a code of etiquette. Since there are no overtones to these words, there is no indication when someone is called mannerly or well-mannered if he is actually courteous or merely careful about outward appearances. Well-behaved can mean mannerly or well-mannered , especially when it is used to describe a young person who is well versed in social graces. But it is often used to refer to the discipline or control demonstrated by a person or, especially, by a group of persons in a difficult or trying situation; a crowd that was surprisingly quiet and well-behaved considering how long they had to wait in a hot, stuffy room.