COMITY

In his introduction of his Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, President Obama used the word "comity";  I have heard the President use the word previously when referring to relations between our country and others.

A young person of my acquaintance asked me, "Do you believe he just said COMEDY?"

I told him that the President had said "comity" and NOT "comedy" and that word means courtesy and considerate behavior toward others.

My brother said, "Wouldn't it be great if your Facebook friends displayed comity?"

I learned that I had not known about the meaning of comity when applied to religion and law.  See the complete dictionary definition here:

1. courteous behavior, politeness, civility
2. an association of nations for their mutual benefit
3. an agreement among cooperating Christian denominations to avoid duplication of churches, missions, etc., in specific areas
4. the principle by which the courts of one jurisdiction may give effect to the laws and decisions of another, or may stay their own proceedings in deference to those in another jurisdiction.