The BFD Word of the Day

The word for today is…

comity (noun) – 1. An atmosphere of social harmony.

2. Comity of nations. The act of giving effect to the laws, executive acts, or legal decisions of one nation by another in recognition of the two nations’ mutual respect.
3. (Law) The principle by which a court in one jurisdiction defers to a court in another jurisdiction where either would have legal power to decide the case, or gives effect to the laws, executive acts, or legal decisions of another jurisdiction.

Source : The Free Dictionary

Etymology : “Our country soweth also in the field of our breasts many precious seeds, as … honest behavior, affability, comity,” wrote English clergyman Thomas Becon in 1543. Becon’s use is an early documented appearance of comity—a word derived from Latin c?mit?s, meaning “friendliness, courtesy, or graciousness.” Comity is largely used in political and judicial contexts. Since 1804, comity of nations has referred to countries bound by a courteous relationship based on mutual recognition of executive, legislative, and judicial acts. And, in legal contexts, comity refers to the recognition by courts of one jurisdiction of the laws and judicial decisions of another.

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