Couth

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -uːθ
• IPA: /kuːθ/

From Middle English couth, doublet of could; from Old English cūþ ("known, plain, manifest, certain, well known, usual, noted, excellent, famous, intimate, familiar, friendly, related"), from Proto-Germanic *kunþaz ("known"), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵen-, *ǵno- ("to know"). Cognate with Scots couth ("known, familiar"), Eastern Frisian cut ("known"), Dutch kond ("known"), German kund ("known"), Icelandic kuðr, kunnur ("known"), Gothic 𐌺𐌿𐌽𐌸𐍃 (kunþs, "known"), Latin gnosco ("to know").

Full definition of couth

Adjective

1. (obsolete) known, renowned

Verb

1. (obsolete except in adjective use) Past participle of can

Back-formation from {{3}}

Adjective

1. Marked by or possessing a high degree of sophistication; cultured, refined.

Noun

1. Social grace, sophistication; manners; refinement.That man has no couth.

Anagrams

• touch