genteelism

English

Etymology

genteel +‎ -ism

Noun

genteelism (countable and uncountable, plural genteelisms)

1. Genteel behaviour.
2. (countable) A nicer word used instead of a vulgar or distasteful word

   Synonym: euphemism

   • 2004, Alan Hollinghurst, The Line of Beauty […], 1st US edition, New York, N.Y.: Bloomsbury Publishing, →ISBN:

     Were such cheerful genteelisms any use?