I. |kər|ve]t, _kərˈve]t also ˈkərvə̇]t; usu ]d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: modification of Italian corvetta, from Old Italian, from Middle French courbette, from courber to bend, curve (from Latin curvare ) + -ette — more at curve
: a leap of a horse in which he raises both forelegs at once equally advanced and as they are falling raises his hind legs so that for an instant all his legs are in the air at the same time
II. intransitive verb
( curvetted or curveted ; curvetted or curveted ; curvetting or curveting ; curvets )
Etymology: Italian corvettare, from corvetta
1. : to make a curvet : leap , bound
2. : prance , caper , gyrate