plural courts
often attributive
1
a
: the residence or establishment of a sovereign or similar dignitary
riding to the king's court
b
: a sovereign's formal assembly of councillors and officers
The king held a general court.
c
: the sovereign and officers and advisers who are the governing power
The court has decided against the alliance.
d
: the family and retinue of a sovereign
The court enjoyed the tournament.
e
: a reception held by a sovereign
2
a(1)
: a manor house or large building surrounded by usually enclosed grounds
Hampton Court
(2)
: motel
b
: an open space enclosed wholly or partly by buildings or circumscribed by a single building
the court at the center of the palace
c
: a quadrangular space walled or marked off for playing one of various games with a ball (such as 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 see also court-packing, pack the court
b
: a session of such a court
The court is now adjourned.
c
: a place (such as a chamber) for the administration of justice
sat quietly in the back of the court
see also take to court
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 … —Leonard H. Marks
4
a
: an assembly or board with legislative or administrative powers
b
5
: conduct or attention intended to win favor or dispel hostility : homage
pay court to the king
courted; courting; courts
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
Both candidates were courting the independent voters.
b
: to seek an alliance with
1
: to engage in social activities leading to engagement and marriage
2
of an animal
: to engage in activity leading to mating
a pair of robins courting in the trees
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share