For dramatic effect, a city's history is sometimes called a biography, but cities are living organisms only by courtesy.

In the meantime I shall have to eat by courtesy of the ward room.

It was, by courtesy, the Emperor's right to comment first on the information.

It is a sort of local currency by courtesy.

The title he had won was by courtesy, not by right.

He smiled, but the expression seemed flat to her, forced onto his face by courtesy, she thought.

There are charming drives all about, and by courtesy of friends we had opportunity to enjoy them.

The old chief had shown, by his own lights, real courtesy and patience.

But wizards were officers by courtesy, to let them order common soldiers around.

Smitta had been born a man; she was a woman by courtesy.