[a. F. urbanité (13–14th c.), or ad. L. urbānitāt-, urbānitās, f. urbān-us URBAN a. Cf. It. urbanità, Sp. urbanidad, Pg. urbanidade.]
1. The character or quality of being urbane; courtesy, refinement, or elegance of manner; refined or bland politeness or civility.
In frequent use since c. 1825
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (Rolls), II. 328. Ane man he wes of greit vrbanitie.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health (1557), Prol. Egregious doctours,… of your Urbanitie exasperate not youre selfe agaynst me.
a. 1566. R. Edwards, Damon & Pithias (1906), 46. A right courtier is virtuous, gentle and full of urbanity.
1606. Bryskett, Civ. Life, 245. The meane which teacheth the tempering of those excesses, called the vertue of Vrbanitie, a Latine name, which in English we cannot better.
1693. Dryden, Juvenal (1697), p. lxii. His Urbanity, that is, his Good Manners, are to be commended.
1713. Guardian, No. 36, ¶ 11. The Virtue called Urbanity by the Moralists, or a Courtly Behaviour.
1746. Gentl. Mag., 7/2. Urbanity is a certain impression of politeness and goodness, which appears in the mind, conversation and sentiments of a person.
1777. W. Dalrymple, Trav. Sp. & Port., vii. He was all urbanity and good humour.
1814. Scott, Wav., xi. If you have no respect for the laws of urbanity.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iv. I. 439. That exquisite urbanity, so often found potent to charm away the resentment of a justly incensed nation.
1878. Pater, Child in House (1894), 15. A kind of comeliness and dignity, an urbanity literally, in modes of life, which he connected with the pale people of towns.
transf. 1616. J. Lane, Contn. Sqr.’s T., IX. 152. Cambuscan … eyenge Giant Horbills iollite, rann at his tassant plumes vrbanitie.
b. Const. of (manners, etc.)
1793. V. Knox, Let. Yng. Nobleman, v. Wks. 1824, V. 10. You cannot read and taste his beauties, without improving your urbanity of manners.
1798. S. & Ht. Lee, Canterb. T., II. 129. From the moment they quitted France, urbanity of manners vanished.
1808. Med. Jrnl., XIX. 258. The late Dr. Purcell,… whose urbanity of manners … will long be remembered.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., xxxv. The gentleness and urbanity of his general manners.
c. pl. Civilities, courtesies.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., I. vi. 23. The passages of societie and daily urbanities of our times.
1822. Galt, Provost, xlii. There is a surprising difference, in regard to the urbanities in use among those who have not yet come to authority.
1866. Felton, Anc. & Mod. Gr., II. v. 71. In the urbanities of social life,… Athens was without an equal, without a second.
† 2. Conversation characteristic of well-bred townspeople; cheerful, witty, or pleasant talk; polished wit or humor. Obs.
a. 1566. R. Edwards, Damon & Pithias (1571), B i b. Then grudge not at all, if in my behauiour, I make the Kinge mery, with pleasant vrbanitie.
1640. Bp. Reynolds, Passions, xxi. 214. Men are delighted … with Elegancies, Tests, Vrbanity, and Flowers of wit.
1656. E. Reyner, Rules Govt. Tongue, 223. Use Recreational speeches:… this is urbanity, or pleasantness of speech.
1693. Dryden, Juvenal (1697), p. liv. Moral Doctrine, says he, and Urbanity, or well-manner’d Wit,… constitute the Roman Satire.
3. The state, condition, or character of a town or city; life in a city; town-life.
In freg. use from c. 1898.
1549. Compl. Scotl., vi. 43. Tha detestit vrbanite, and desirit to lyue in villagis.
1789. Belsham, Ess., I. xvii. 328. The serenity, the elegance and urbanity of Paris.
1877. R. Martineau, trans. Goldziher’s Mythol. Heb., iv. 83. This trait of glorification of the old-fashioned Beduin-life, to the disparagement of the free urbanity of the townsmen.
1898. Maitland, Township & Borough, 13. A difference between … urbanity and rusticity.
1900. A. Jessopp, in Birm. Weekly Post, 14 April, 5/3. A glimpse of the world of streets and the docks and the seamy side of ‘urbanity.’
