/kawrt, kohrt/ , n.
1. Law.
a. a place where justice is administered.
b. a judicial tribunal duly constituted for the hearing and determination of cases.
c. a session of a judicial assembly.
2. an area open to the sky and mostly or entirely surrounded by buildings, walls, etc.
3. a high interior usually having a glass roof and surrounded by several stories of galleries or the like.
4. Chiefly Irish. a stately dwelling.
5. a short street.
6. a smooth, level quadrangle on which to play tennis, basketball, etc.
7. one of the divisions of such an area.
8. the residence of a sovereign or other high dignitary; palace.
9. a sovereign's or dignitary's retinue.
10. a sovereign and councilors as the political rulers of a state.
11. a formal assembly held by a sovereign.
12. homage paid, as to a king.
13. special or devoted attention in order to win favor, affection, etc.: to pay court to the king.
14. the body of qualified members of a corporation, council, board, etc.
15. a branch or lodge of a fraternal society.
16. Animal Behav.
a. an area where animals of a particular species gather to display.
b. the group of insects, as honeybees, surrounding the queen; retinue.
17. hold court ,
a. to have a formal assembly of a judicial tribunal or one held by a sovereign.
b. to be surrounded by one's disciples or admirers, giving advice, exchanging gossip, receiving compliments, etc.
18. out of court ,
a. without a legal hearing; privately: The case will be settled out of court.
b. out of the question; undeserving of discussion: This wild scheme is entirely out of court.
v.t.
19. to try to win the favor, preference, or goodwill of: to court the rich.
20. to seek the affections of; woo.
21. (of animals) to attempt to attract (a mate) by engaging in certain species-specific behaviors.
22. to attempt to gain (applause, favor, a decision, etc.).
23. to hold out inducements to; invite.
24. to act in such a manner as to cause, lead to, or provoke: to court disaster by reckless driving.
v.i.
25. to seek another's love; woo.
26. (of animals) to engage in certain species-specific behaviors in order to attract individuals of the opposite sex for mating.
[ 1125-75; ME co ( u ) rt cohort- (s. of cohors ) farmyard; see COHORT ]