Polite sort of servants (5)
I believe the answer is:
civil
'polite' is the definition.
(synonyms)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for civil that I've seen before include "Nonviolent refusal to obey laws" , "Polite to the state" , "Not rude" , "Mannerly" , "(Of law) non-criminal" .)