n. & v.
n. 1 a a game or competitive activity, esp. an outdoor one involving physical exertion, e.g. cricket, football, racing, hunting. b such activities collectively (the world of sport). 2 (in pl.) Brit. a a meeting for competing in sports, esp. athletics (school sports). b athletics. 3 amusement, diversion, fun. 4 colloq. a a fair or generous person. b a person behaving in a specified way, esp. regarding games, rules, etc. (a bad sport at tennis). c Austral. a form of address, esp. between males. d US a playboy. 5 Biol. an animal or plant deviating suddenly or strikingly from the normal type. 6 a plaything or butt (was the sport of Fortune).
v. 1 intr. divert oneself, take part in a pastime. 2 tr. wear, exhibit, or produce, esp. ostentatiously (sported a gold tie-pin). 3 intr. Biol. become or produce a sport. have good sport be successful in shooting, fishing, etc. in sport jestingly. make sport of make fun of, ridicule. the sport of kings horse-racing (less often war, hunting, or surfing). sports car an open, low-built fast car. sports coat (or jacket) a man's jacket for informal wear. sports writer a person who writes (esp. as a journalist) on sports. sporter n.
[ ME f. DISPORT ]