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n. 1. a. An extent of open ground partially or completely enclosed by walls or buildings; a courtyard. b. Abbr. Ct. A short street, especially a wide alley walled by buildings on three sides. c. A large open section of a building, often with a glass roof or skylight. d. A large building, such as a mansion, arranged around a courtyard. 2. a. The place of residence of a sovereign or dignitary; a royal mansion or palace. b. The retinue of a sovereign, including the royal family and personal servants, advisers, and ministers. c. A sovereign's governing body, including the council of ministers and state advisers. d. A formal meeting or reception presided over by a sovereign. 3. Law a. A person or body of persons that presides over the hearing of cases; a judge or panel of judges. b. The building, hall, or room where cases are heard. c. The session at which cases are heard. 4. An ecclesiastical court. 5. Sports An open level area marked with appropriate lines, upon which a game, such as tennis, handball, or basketball, is played. 6. The body of directors of an organization, especially of a corporation. 7. A legislative assembly. v. court·ed, court·ing, courts v.tr. 1. a. To attempt to gain; seek: courting wealth and fame. b. To behave so as to invite or incur: courts disaster by taking drugs. 2. To try to gain the love or affections of, especially to seek to marry. 3. To attempt to gain the favor of by attention or flattery: a salesperson courting a potential customer. 4. Zoology To behave so as to attract (a mate). v.intr. Idiom: 1. To pursue a courtship; woo. 2. Zoology To engage in courtship behavior. pay court to 1. To flatter with solicitous overtures in an attempt to obtain something or clear away antagonism. 2. To seek someone's love; woo. [Middle English, from Old French cort, from Latin cohors, cohort-, courtyard, retinue; see gher-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
Australian tennis player who won the Grand Slam (1970) and 24 singles titles in Grand Slam competitions.  (click for a larger image) Margaret Smith Courtphotographed in 1970 |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
