First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
1court
noun, often attributive \ˈkȯrt\
: a formal legal meeting in which evidence about crimes, disagreements, etc., is presented to a judge and often a jury so that decisions can be made according to the law
: a place where legal cases are heard
: an official group of people (such as a judge and jury) who listen to evidence and make decisions about legal cases
Full Definition of COURT
1
a : the residence or establishment of a sovereign or similar dignitary b : a sovereign's formal assembly of councillors and officers c : the sovereign and officers and advisers who are the governing power d : the family and retinue of a sovereign e : a reception held by a sovereign
2
a (1) : a manor house or large building surrounded by usually enclosed grounds (2) : motel b : an open space enclosed wholly or partly by buildings or circumscribed by a single building c : a quadrangular space walled or marked off for playing one of various games with a ball (as lawn tennis, handball, or basketball); also : a division of such a court d : a wide alley with only one opening onto a street
3
a : an official assembly for the transaction of judicial business b : a session of such a court <court is now adjourned> c : a place (as a chamber) for the administration of justice d : a judge or judges in session; also : a faculty or agency of judgment or evaluation <rest our case in the court of world opinion — L. H. Marks>
4
a : an assembly or board with legislative or administrative powers b : parliament, legislature
5
: conduct or attention intended to win favor or dispel hostility : homage <pay court to the king>
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Origin of COURT
Middle English, from Anglo-French curt, court, from Latin cohort-, cohors enclosure, group, retinue, cohort, from co- + -hort-, -hors (akin to hortus garden) — more at yard
Related to COURT
- Synonyms
- palace
2court
verb
: to act in a way that shows that you want or intend to get married
of an animal : to perform the actions that lead to sexual activity
: to give a lot of attention and praise to (someone) in order to get approval, support, etc.
Full Definition of COURT
transitive verb
1
2
a : to seek the affections of; especially : to seek to win a pledge of marriage from b of an animal : to perform actions in order to attract for mating <a male bird courting a female>
3
a : to seek to attract (as by solicitous attention or offers of advantages) <college teams courting high school basketball stars> b : to seek an alliance with
intransitive verb
1
: to engage in social activities leading to engagement and marriage
2
of an animal : to engage in activity leading to mating
See court defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of COURT
1567
Related to COURT
- Synonyms
- ask (for), flirt (with), invite, woo, look for, go steady, keep company, make love
COURT Defined for Kids
1court
noun \ˈkȯrt\
Definition of COURT for Kids
1
: a space arranged for playing a certain game <tennis court> <basketball court>
2
: an official meeting led by a judge for settling legal questions or the place where it is held
3
: a judge or the judges presiding in a courtroom <The court decides issues of law.>
4
: the home of a ruler (as a king)
5
: a ruler's assembly of advisers and officers as a governing power
6
: the family and people who follow a ruler
7
: an open space completely or partly surrounded by buildings
8
: a short street
9
: respect meant to win favor <Pay court to the king.>
2court
verb
court·edcourt·ing
Definition of COURT for Kids
1
: to seek the love or companionship of
2
: to try to gain or get the support of : seek <Both candidates courted new voters.>
3
: to seem to be asking for : tempt <You're courting trouble by not fixing your car.>
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