Politeness, n.
1. High finish; smoothness; burnished elegance. [R.] Evelyn.
2. The quality or state of being polite; refinement of manners; urbanity; courteous behavior; complaisance; obliging attentions.
Syn. -- Courtesy; good breeding; refinement; urbanity; courteousness; affability; complaisance; civility; gentility; courtliness. -- Politeness, Courtesy. Politeness denotes that ease and gracefulness of manners which first sprung up in cities, connected with a desire to please others by anticipating their wants and wishes, and studiously avoiding whatever might give them pain. Courtesy is, etymologically, the politeness of courts. It displays itself in the address and manners; it is shown more especially in receiving and entertaining others, and is a union of dignified complaisance and kindness.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for politeness; he lists it under address, refinement.
Where he writes about it:
Courtesy and politeness are indispensable elements of good address. — from address
Complaisant denotes a disposition to please or favor beyond what politeness would necessarily require. — from polite