Used chiefly with the definite article to refer collectively to people of refined manners ('the polite').
Translations
mondeDans l’expression « the polite » au sens de la bonne société. People who are refined and cultured, considered as a social group (usually with the definite article). He found the company of the polite rather tedious.
Archaic, transitive: to make polite; to civilise or refine.
Translations
The tutor sought to polite the young gentleman's manners.
Le précepteur s'efforça de civiliser les manières du jeune gentilhomme.
polirAu sens figuré : rendre plus raffiné, plus élégant. To make polite; to civilize or refine. The tutor sought to polite the young gentleman's manners.