Court

Pronunciation

• IPA: /koʊɹt/, /kɔːɹt/
• Rhymes: -ɔː(r)t

Origin

From Old French cort, curt, from Latin cortem (accusative of cors), ultimately from cohors.

Full definition of court

Noun

1. An enclosed space; a courtyard; an uncovered area shut in by the walls of a building, or by different building; also, a space opening from a street and nearly surrounded by houses; a blind alley.The girls were playing in the court.
• TennysonAnd round the cool green courts there ran a row
  Of cloisters.
• MacaulayGoldsmith took a garret in a miserable court.
2. The residence of a sovereign, prince, nobleman, or ether dignitary; a palace.The noblemen visited the queen in her court.
• ShakespeareThis our court, infected with their manners,
  Shows like a riotous inn.
3. The collective body of persons composing the retinue of a sovereign or person high in authority; all the surroundings of a sovereign in his regal state.The queen and her court traveled to the city to welcome back the soldiers.
• ShakespeareMy lord, there is a nobleman of the court at door would speak with you.
• Sir Walter ScottLove rules the court, the camp, the grove.
4. Any formal assembling of the retinue of a sovereign.
• MacaulayThe princesses held their court within the fortress.
5. Attention directed to a person in power; conduct or address designed to gain favor; courtliness of manners; civility; compliment; flattery.
• SpenserNo solace could her paramour entreat
  Her once to show, ne court, nor dalliance.
• EvelynI went to make my court to the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle.
6. The hall, chamber, or place, where justice is administered.Many famous criminals have been put on trial in this court.
7. The persons officially assembled under authority of law, at the appropriate time and place, for the administration of justice; an official assembly, legally met together for the transaction of judicial business; a judge or judges sitting for the hearing or trial of causes.The court started proceedings at 11 o'clock.
8. A tribunal established for the administration of justice.
9. The judge or judges; as distinguished from the counsel or jury, or both.
10. The session of a judicial assembly.The court is now in session.
11. Any jurisdiction, civil, military, or ecclesiastical.
12. (sports) A place arranged for playing the games of tennis, basketball, squash, badminton, volleyball and some other games; also, one of the divisions of a tennis court.The local sports club has six tennis courts and two squash courts .The shuttlecock landed outside the court.
13. (US, Australia) A street with no outlet, a cul-de-sac.

Derived terms

Verb

1. (transitive) To seek to achieve or win.He was courting big new accounts that previous salesman had not attempted.
• PrescottThey might almost seem to have courted the crown of martyrdom.
• De QuinceyGuilt and misery ... court privacy and solitude.
2. (transitive) To risk (a consequence, usually negative).He courted controversy with his frank speeches.
3. (transitive) To try to win a commitment to marry from.
• ShakespeareIf either of you both love Katharina ...
  Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.
4. (transitive) To engage in behavior leading to mating.The bird was courting by making an elaborate dance.
5. (transitive) To attempt to attract.
• MacaulayBy one person, hovever, Portland was still assiduously courted.
6. (transitive) To attempt to gain alliance with.
7. (intransitive) To engage in activities intended to win someone's affections.She's had a few beaus come courting.
8. (intransitive) To engage in courtship behavior.In this season, you can see many animals courting.
9. (transitive) To invite by attractions; to allure; to attract.
• TennysonA well-worn pathway courted us
  To one green wicket in a privet hedge.