court

Forms

1.An enclosed space; a courtyard; an uncovered area shut in by the walls of a building, or by different buildings; also, a space opening from a street and nearly surrounded by houses; a blind alley.
- The girls were playing in the court.
- Goldsmith took a garret in a miserable court.
- All round the cool green courts there ran a row / Of cloisters, branched like mighty woods, / Echoing all night to that sonorous flow / Of spouted fountain floods.
2.Royal society.
- Love rules the court, the camp, the grove.
- The noblemen visited the queen in her court.
- My lord, there is a nobleman of the court at door would speak with you.
3.Attention directed to a person in power; behaviour designed to gain favor; politeness of manner; civility towards someone.
- No solace could her paramour entreat / Her once to show, ne court, nor dalliance.
- I went to make court to the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle at their house in Clerkenwell.
4.The administration of law.
- The court started proceedings at 11 o'clock.
- Many famous criminals have been put on trial in this court.
- Each province in Canada has three courts: a provincial court, a superior court, and a court of appeals.

1.To seek to achieve or win (a prize).
- He was courting big new accounts that previous salesmen had not attempted.
2.To risk (a consequence, usually negative).
- She courted controversy with her frank speeches.
3.To attempt to attract, in any way; to invite by attractions.
- She's had a few beaus come courting.
- At this time of year, you can see many animals courting.
- The bird was courting a potential mate by performing an elaborate dance.

Very common· #388

From Middle English court, from Old French cort, curt, from Late Latin cōrs, contracted from Latin cohors. Doublet of cohort.

Professional tennis players playing on a tennis court (noun sense 5) in New Delhi, India