A formal act or observance, expressive of deference or respect to superiors in rank, or established by custom in social intercourse; a usage of…

A ceremonious or formal tribute of (mere) courtesy paid to any one; plural ceremonies of civility or politeness. Now compliment, n.

= compliment, n.

Ceremonious attention (paid to a person).

Apparently: complimentary language. Cf. compliment, n. 1b. Obsolete.

A ceremonial act or expression as a tribute of courtesy, ‘usually understood to mean less than it declares’ (Johnson); now, esp. a neatly-turned…

A usage of formal courtesy or politeness; the observance of conventional forms in social intercourse; = ceremony, n. 2 3.