Court Definition
kôrt
courted, courting, courts
noun
courts
An uncovered space wholly or partly surrounded by buildings or walls; courtyard.
Webster's New World
A special section or area of a building, as a museum, somewhat like such a space but roofed, as with a skylight.
Webster's New World
A short street, often closed at one end.
Webster's New World
A mansion or manor with a large, uncovered entrance area.
Hampton Court.
Webster's New World
Any of the divisions of such a space.
Webster's New World
pronoun
(US) An abbreviated term of respect for any court ("the Court").
Wiktionary
A surname for someone who worked or lived in a court.
Wiktionary
verb
courted, courting, courts
To pay respectful or flattering attention to (a person) in order to get something.
Webster's New World
To try to get; seek.
To court success.
Webster's New World
To behave so as to invite or incur.
Courts disaster by taking drugs.
American Heritage
To try to get the love of in order to marry; woo.
Webster's New World
To carry on a courtship.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
adjective
Of or fit for a court.
A court jester.
Webster's New World
idiom
pay court to
- To flatter with solicitous overtures in an attempt to obtain something or clear away antagonism.
- To seek someone's love; woo.
American Heritage
the ball is in someone's court
- (a problem is) awaiting action or a decision by someone
Webster's New World
out of court
- without a trial in a law court
- not important enough for consideration or examination
Webster's New World
pay court to
- to court, as for favor or love
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Court
- pay court to
- the ball is in someone's court
- out of court
- pay court to
Origin of Court
-
Middle English from Old French cort from Latin cohors cohort- courtyard, retinue gher-1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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