n. /kerr"vit/ ; v. /keuhr vet", kerr"vit/ , n. , v. , curvetted or curveted, curvetting or curveting .
n.
1. Dressage. a leap of a horse from a rearing position, in which it springs up with the hind legs outstretched as the forelegs descend.
v.i.
2. to leap in a curvet, as a horse; cause one's horse to do this.
3. to leap and frisk.
v.t.
4. to cause to make a curvet.
[ 1565-75; earlier curvetto corvetta courbette, equiv. to courb ( er ) to bend, curve ( curvare; cf. CURVE) + - ette - ETTE ]