court

Court is defined as an uncovered area partially or completely surrounded by structures.

(noun)

An example of court is an outdoor area in an office park where office workers have lunch.

The definition of a court is a short street that is closed at one end.

(noun)

An example of court is a street without through traffic.

Court is an area dedicated for playing a specific game.

(noun)

An example of court is a basketball hoop with open asphalt around it used for playing basketball.

Court is a building or room where legal cases are heard and decided by a judge.

(noun)

An example of court is where someone would go to plead their case against a traffic violation.

Court means to pay attention to someone to get something or to seek someone for marriage or dating.

(verb)

An example of court is a man sending flowers to a woman he wants to take out to dinner.

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See court in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

    1. an uncovered space wholly or partly surrounded by buildings or walls; courtyard
    2. a special section or area of a building, as a museum, somewhat like such a space but roofed, as with a skylight
  1. a short street, often closed at one end
    1. a specially prepared space, usually quadrangular and often enclosed and roofed, for playing any of several games, as basketball, handball, tennis, or squash
    2. any of the divisions of such a space
  2. a mansion or manor with a large, uncovered entrance area: now used only in proper names: Hampton Court
  3. ☆ a motel
    in full motor court
    1. the palace of a sovereign
    2. the family, advisors, and attendants of a sovereign, considered as a group
    3. a sovereign together with councilors, ministers, etc. as a governing body
    4. any formal gathering, reception, etc. held by a sovereign
  4. respectful or flattering attention paid to someone in order to get something
  5. courtship; wooing
  6. Brit. the board of directors of a corporation
    1. a person or persons appointed to try law cases, make investigations, etc.; judge or judges; law court
    2. a building or hall where trials are held, official investigations made, etc.
    3. a judicial assembly, whether civil, ecclesiastical, or military; also, a regular session of such an assembly

Origin: OFr < VL curtis < L cohors (gen. cohortis), enclosed place: see cohort

transitive verb

  1. to pay respectful or flattering attention to (a person) in order to get something
  2. to try to get the love of; seek as a mate; woo
  3. to try to get; seek: to court success
  4. to make oneself open or liable to: to court insults

intransitive verb

to carry on a courtship; woo

adjective

of or fit for a court

Related Forms:

See court in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  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, standing in 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 whose task is to hear and submit a decision on cases at law.
    b. The building, hall, or room in which such cases are heard and determined.
    c. The regular session of a judicial assembly.
    d. A similar authorized tribunal having military or ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
  4. Sports An open level area marked with appropriate lines, upon which a game, such as tennis, handball, or basketball, is played.
  5. The body of directors of an organization, especially of a corporation.
  6. A legislative assembly.
verb court·ed, court·ing, courts
verb, transitive
  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).
verb, intransitive
  1. To pursue a courtship; woo.
  2. Zoology To engage in courtship behavior.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French cort

Origin: , from Latin cohors, cohort-, courtyard, retinue; see gher-1 in Indo-European roots

.

Australian tennis player who won 26 Grand Slam singles titles and, in 1970, the Grand Slam (Wimbledon, French, U.S., and Australian titles in the same year).

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