polite society noun2 •The elite or upper crust of society.[H]e had been brought up in an extravagant family, who considered tradesmen and manufacturers as a caste disgraceful to polite society. — 1803 •That portion of society that is especially concerned with etiquette, proper behavior, and politeness.[S]he managed with considerable effort to keep up a sufficient outward semblance of mourning to satisfy the customs and fashions of polite society. — 1892
