pleasantry

[plez-uh n-tree] /ˈplɛz ən tri/
noun, plural pleasantries.
1.
good-humored teasing; banter.
2.
a humorous or jesting remark.
3.
a courteous social remark used to initiate or facilitate a conversation:
to exchange pleasantries.
4.
a humorous action.
Origin
1645-55; < French plaisanterie, Old French plesanterie. See pleasant, -ry
Examples from the web for pleasantry
  • The powerful hold in deep remembrance an ill-timed pleasantry.
  • He spoke of it to those who loved him with a gentle pleasantry, which made it the more touching.
  • From your perspective, a nostalgic pleasantry of sound from a non poisonous frog.
  • He explained in his answer that it was only a pleasantry.
British Dictionary definitions for pleasantry

pleasantry

/ˈplɛzəntrɪ/
noun (pl) -ries
1.
(often pl) an agreeable or amusing remark, often one made in order to be polite: they exchanged pleasantries
2.
an agreeably humorous manner or style
3.
(rare) enjoyment; pleasantness: a pleasantry of life
Word Origin
C17: from French plaisanterie, from plaisantpleasant
Word Origin and History for pleasantry
n.

"sprightly humor in conversation," 1650s, from French plaisanterie "joke, jest; joking, jesting," from plaisant (see pleasant). Related: Pleasantries.