*cour*

v. t. [ Ac-, for L. ad. See Court. ] To treat courteously; to court. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a battle in which English longbowmen under Henry V decisively defeated a much larger French army in 1415. It was named for the site at which it occurred. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ F., fr. avant before + courrier. See Avaunt, and Courier. ] A person dispatched before another person or company, to give notice of his or their approach. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Bargeboard. ] (Arch.) A part of the tiling which projects beyond the principal rafters, in buildings where there is a gable. Gwilt. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. basse-cour. See Base, a., and Court, n. ] 1. The secondary, inferior, or rear courtyard of a large house; the outer court of a castle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) An inferior court of law, not of record. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Arch.) The finishing course of a wall showing above a cornice. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. concours, L. concursus, fr. concurrere to run together. See Concur. ] 1. A moving, flowing, or running together; confluence. [ 1913 Webster ]

The good frame of the universe was not the product of chance or fortuitous concourse of particles of matter. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An assembly; a gathering formed by a voluntary or spontaneous moving and meeting in one place. [ 1913 Webster ]

Amidst the concourse were to be seen the noble ladies of Milan, in gay, fantastic cars, shining in silk brocade. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The place or point of meeting or junction of two bodies. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The drop will begin to move toward the concourse of the glasses. Sir I. Newton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An open space where several roads or paths meet; esp. an open space in a park where several roads meet. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Concurrence; cooperation. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The divine providence is wont to afford its concourse to such proceeding. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Her.) Running in opposite directions; -- said of animals borne in a coast of arms. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. corage heart, mind, will, courage, OF. corage, F. courage, fr. a LL. derivative of L. cor heart. See Heart. ] 1. The heart; spirit; temper; disposition. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

So priketh hem nature in here corages. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

My lord, cheer up your spirits; our foes are nigh,
and this soft courage makes your followers faint. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Heart; inclination; desire; will. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

I'd such a courage to do him good. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That quality of mind which enables one to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear, or fainting of heart; valor; boldness; resolution. [ 1913 Webster ]

The king-becoming graces . . .
Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,
I have no relish of them. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Courage that grows from constitution often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it. Addison.

Syn. -- Heroism; bravery; intrepidity; valor; gallantry; daring; firmness; hardihood; boldness; dauntlessness; resolution. See Heroism. -- Courage, Bravery, Fortitude, Intrepidity, Gallantry, Valor. Courage is that firmness of spirit and swell of soul which meets danger without fear. Bravery is daring and impetuous courage, like that of one who has the reward continually in view, and displays his courage in daring acts. Fortitude has often been styled “passive courage, ” and consist in the habit of encountering danger and enduring pain with a steadfast and unbroken spirit. Valor is courage exhibited in war, and can not be applied to single combats; it is never used figuratively. Intrepidity is firm, unshaken courage. Gallantry is adventurous courage, which courts danger with a high and cheerful spirit. A man may show courage, fortitude, or intrepidity in the common pursuits of life, as well as in war. Valor, bravery, and gallantry are displayed in the contest of arms. Valor belongs only to battle; bravery may be shown in single combat; gallantry may be manifested either in attack or defense; but in the latter case, the defense is usually turned into an attack. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To inspire with courage; to encourage. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Paul writeth unto Timothy . . . to courage him. Tyndale. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. courageux. ] Possessing, or characterized by, courage; brave; bold. [ 1913 Webster ]

With this victory, the women became most courageous and proud, and the men waxed . . . fearful and desperate. Stow.

Syn. -- Gallant; brave; bold; daring; valiant; valorous; heroic; intrepid; fearless; hardy; stout; adventurous; enterprising. See Gallant. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a courageous manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being courageous; courage. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F., p. pr. of courir to run, L. currere. Cf. Current. ] (Her.) Represented as running; -- said of a beast borne in a coat of arms. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. courante, fr. courant, p. pr. ] 1. A piece of music in triple time; also, a lively dance; a coranto. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A circulating gazette of news; a newspaper. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A sprightly dance; a coranto; a courant. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Med.) A skin disease, common in India, in which there is perpetual itching and eruption, esp. of the groin, breast, armpits, and face. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. courbe, fr. L. curvus. See Curve, a. ] Curved; rounded. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Her neck is short, her shoulders courb. Gower. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ F. courber. See Curs. ] To bend; to stop; to bow. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Then I courbed on my knees. Piers Plowman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. courbaril, from a South American word. ] See Animé, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Kerchief. ] A square piece of linen used formerly by women instead of a cap; a kerchief. [ Scot. ] [ Written also curch. ] Jamieson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a marrow squash plant whose fruit are eaten when small; -- called also zucchini. [ Chiefly Brit. ]
Syn. -- zucchini. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. a small cucumber-shaped vegetable marrow; typically dark green; -- called also zucchini. [ Chiefly Brit. ]
Syn. -- zucchini. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ F. courrier, fr. courre, courir, to run, L. currere. See Course, Current. ] 1. A messenger sent with haste to convey letters or dispatches, usually on public business. [ 1913 Webster ]

The wary Bassa . . . by speedy couriers, advertised Solyman of the enemy's purpose. Knolles. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An attendant on travelers, whose business it is to make arrangements for their convenience at hotels and on the way. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A South American bird, of the genus Aramus, allied to the rails. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. cours, course, L. cursus, fr. currere to run. See Current. ] 1. The act of moving from one point to another; progress; passage. [ 1913 Webster ]

And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais. Acts xxi. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The ground or path traversed; track; way. [ 1913 Webster ]

The same horse also run the round course at Newmarket. Pennant. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Motion, considered as to its general or resultant direction or to its goal; line progress or advance. [ 1913 Webster ]

A light by which the Argive squadron steers
Their silent course to Ilium's well known shore. Dennham. [ 1913 Webster ]

Westward the course of empire takes its way. Berkeley. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Progress from point to point without change of direction; any part of a progress from one place to another, which is in a straight line, or on one direction; as, a ship in a long voyage makes many courses; a course measured by a surveyor between two stations; also, a progress without interruption or rest; a heat; as, one course of a race. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Motion considered with reference to manner; or derly progress; procedure in a certain line of thought or action; as, the course of an argument. [ 1913 Webster ]

The course of true love never did run smooth. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Customary or established sequence of events; recurrence of events according to natural laws. [ 1913 Webster ]

By course of nature and of law. Davies. [ 1913 Webster ]

Day and night,
Seedtime and harvest, heat and hoary frost,
Shall hold their course. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Method of procedure; manner or way of conducting; conduct; behavior. [ 1913 Webster ]

My lord of York commends the plot and the general course of the action. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

By perseverance in the course prescribed. Wodsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

You hold your course without remorse. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. A series of motions or acts arranged in order; a succession of acts or practices connectedly followed; as, a course of medicine; a course of lectures on chemistry. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. The succession of one to another in office or duty; order; turn. [ 1913 Webster ]

He appointed . . . the courses of the priests 2 Chron. viii. 14. [ 1913 Webster ]

10. That part of a meal served at one time, with its accompaniments. [ 1913 Webster ]

He [ Goldsmith ] wore fine clothes, gave dinners of several courses, paid court to venal beauties. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

11. (Arch.) A continuous level range of brick or stones of the same height throughout the face or faces of a building. Gwilt. [ 1913 Webster ]

12. (Naut.) The lowest sail on any mast of a square-rigged vessel; as, the fore course, main course, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

13. pl. (Physiol.) The menses. [ 1913 Webster ]

In course, in regular succession. --
Of course, by consequence; as a matter of course; in regular or natural order. --
In the course of, at same time or times during. “In the course of human events.” T. Jefferson.

Syn. -- Way; road; route; passage; race; series; succession; manner; method; mode; career; progress. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Coursed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Coursing. ] 1. To run, hunt, or chase after; to follow hard upon; to pursue. [ 1913 Webster ]

We coursed him at the heels. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cause to chase after or pursue game; as, to course greyhounds after deer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To run through or over. [ 1913 Webster ]

The bounding steed courses the dusty plain. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To run as in a race, or in hunting; to pursue the sport of coursing; as, the sportsmen coursed over the flats of Lancashire. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To move with speed; to race; as, the blood courses through the veins. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Hunted; as, a coursed hare. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Arranged in courses; as, coursed masonry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. coursier. ] 1. One who courses or hunts. [ 1913 Webster ]

leash is a leathern thong by which . . . a courser leads his greyhound. Hanmer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A swift or spirited horse; a racer or a war horse; a charger. [ Poetic. ] Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) A grallatorial bird of Europe (Cursorius cursor), remarkable for its speed in running. Sometimes, in a wider sense, applied to running birds of the Ostrich family. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. corsie, coursie, passage way to the stern. See Course, n. ] (Naut.)A space in the galley; a part of the hatches. Ham. Nav. Encyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The pursuit or running game with dogs that follow by sight instead of by scent. [ 1913 Webster ]

In coursing of a deer, or hart, with greyhounds. Bacon [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. court, curt, cort, F. cour, LL. cortis, fr. L. cohors, cors, chors, gen. cohortis, cortis, chortis, an inclosure, court, thing inclosed, crowd, throng; co- + a root akin to Gr. chorto`s inclosure, feeding place, and to E. garden, yard, orchard. See Yard, and cf. Cohort, Curtain. ] 1. An inclosed space; a courtyard; an uncovered area shut in by the walls of a building, or by different building; also, a space opening from a street and nearly surrounded by houses; a blind alley. [ 1913 Webster ]

The courts of the house of our God. Ps. cxxxv. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

And round the cool green courts there ran a row
Of cloisters. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Goldsmith took a garret in a miserable court. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The residence of a sovereign, prince, nobleman, or other dignitary; a palace. [ 1913 Webster ]

Attends the emperor in his royal court. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

This our court, infected with their manners,
Shows like a riotous inn. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The collective body of persons composing the retinue of a sovereign or person high in authority; all the surroundings of a sovereign in his regal state. [ 1913 Webster ]

My lord, there is a nobleman of the court at door would speak with you. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Love rules the court, the camp, the grove. Sir. W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Any formal assembling of the retinue of a sovereign; as, to hold a court. [ 1913 Webster ]

The princesses held their court within the fortress. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Attention directed to a person in power; conduct or address designed to gain favor; courtliness of manners; civility; compliment; flattery. [ 1913 Webster ]

No solace could her paramour intreat
Her once to show, ne court, nor dalliance. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

I went to make my court to the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Law) (a) The hall, chamber, or place, where justice is administered. (b) The persons officially assembled under authority of law, at the appropriate time and place, for the administration of justice; an official assembly, legally met together for the transaction of judicial business; a judge or judges sitting for the hearing or trial of causes. (c) A tribunal established for the administration of justice. (d) The judge or judges; as distinguished from the counsel or jury, or both. [ 1913 Webster ]

Most heartily I do beseech the court
To give the judgment. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. The session of a judicial assembly. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. Any jurisdiction, civil, military, or ecclesiastical. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. A place arranged for playing the game of tennis; also, one of the divisions of a tennis court. [ 1913 Webster ]

Christian court, the English ecclesiastical courts in the aggregate, or any one of them. --
Court breeding, education acquired at court. --
Court card. Same as Coat card. --
Court circular, one or more paragraphs of news respecting the sovereign and the royal family, together with the proceedings or movements of the court generally, supplied to the newspapers by an officer specially charged with such duty. [ Eng. ] Edwards. --
Court of claims (Law), a court for settling claims against a state or government; specif., a court of the United States, created by act of Congress, and holding its sessions at Washington. It is given jurisdiction over claims on contracts against the government, and sometimes may advise the government as to its liabilities. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ] --
Court day, a day on which a court sits to administer justice. --
Court dress, the dress prescribed for appearance at the court of a sovereign. --
Court fool, a buffoon or jester, formerly kept by princes and nobles for their amusement. --
Court guide, a directory of the names and adresses of the nobility and gentry in a town. --
Court hand, the hand or manner of writing used in records and judicial proceedings. Shak. --
Court lands (Eng. Law), lands kept in demesne, -- that is, for the use of the lord and his family. --
Court marshal, one who acts as marshal for a court. --
Court party, a party attached to the court. --
Court rolls, the records of a court. SeeRoll. --
Court in banc, or
Court in bank, The full court sitting at its regular terms for the hearing of arguments upon questions of law, as distinguished from a sitting at nisi prius. --
Court of Arches,
audience, etc. See under Arches, Audience, etc. --
Court of Chancery. See Chancery, n. --
Court of Common pleas. (Law) See Common pleas, under Common. --
Court of Equity. See under Equity, and Chancery. --
Court of Inquiry (Mil.) , a court appointed to inquire into and report on some military matter, as the conduct of an officer. --
Court of St. James, the usual designation of the British Court; -- so called from the old palace of St. James, which is used for the royal receptions, levees, and drawing-rooms. --
The court of the Lord, the temple at Jerusalem; hence, a church, or Christian house of worship. --
General Court, the legislature of a State; -- so called from having had, in the colonial days, judicial power; as, the General Court of Massachusetts. [ U.S. ] --
To pay one's court, to seek to gain favor by attentions. “Alcibiades was assiduous in paying his court to Tissaphernes.” Jowett. --
To put out of court, to refuse further judicial hearing. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Courted; p. pr. & vb. n. Courting. ] 1. To endeavor to gain the favor of by attention or flattery; to try to ingratiate one's self with. [ 1913 Webster ]

By one person, hovever, Portland was still assiduously courted. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To endeavor to gain the affections of; to seek in marriage; to woo. [ 1913 Webster ]

If either of you both love Katharina . . .
Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To attempt to gain; to solicit; to seek. [ 1913 Webster ]

They might almost seem to have courted the crown of martyrdom. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

Guilt and misery . . . court privacy and solitude. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To invite by attractions; to allure; to attract. [ 1913 Webster ]

A well-worn pathway courted us
To one green wicket in a privet hedge. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To play the lover; to woo; as, to go courting. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) An inferior court of civil jurisdiction, attached to a manor, and held by the steward; a baron's court; -- now fallen into disuse. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Bred, or educated, at court; polished; courtly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The artifices, intrigues, and plottings, at courts. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A movable sideboard or buffet, on which plate and other articles of luxury were displayed on special ocasions. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A way with the joint stools, remove the court-cupboard, look to the plate. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OE. cortais, corteis, cortois, rarely corteous, OF. corties, corteis, F. courtois. See Court. ] Of courtlike manners; pertaining to, or expressive of, courtesy; characterized by courtesy; civil; obliging; well bred; polite; affable; complaisant. [ 1913 Webster ]

A patient and courteous bearing. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

His behavior toward his people is grave and courteous. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a courteous manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being courteous; politeness; courtesy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ D. kort short + pije a coarse cloth. ] A short coat of coarse cloth. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Full threadbare was his overeste courtepy. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who courts; one who plays the lover, or who solicits in marriage; one who flatters and cajoles. Sherwood. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. courtisane, fr. courtisan courtier, It. cortigiano; or directly fr. It. cortigiana, or Sp. cortesana. See Court. ] A woman who prostitutes herself for hire; a prostitute; a harlot. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lasciviously decked like a courtesan. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Harlotry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Courtesies [ OE. cortaisie, corteisie, courtesie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, F. courtoisie, fr. curteis, corteis. See Courteous. ] 1. Politeness; civility; urbanity; courtliness. [ 1913 Webster ]

And trust thy honest-offered courtesy,
With oft is sooner found in lowly sheds,
With smoky rafters, than in tapestry walls
And courts of princes, where it first was named,
And yet is most pretended. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pardon me, Messer Claudio, if once more
I use the ancient courtesies of speech. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An act of civility or respect; an act of kindness or favor performed with politeness. [ 1913 Webster ]

My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Favor or indulgence, as distinguished from right; as, a title given one by courtesy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Courtesy title, a title assumed by a person, or popularly conceded to him, to which he has no valid claim; as, the courtesy title of Lord prefixed to the names of the younger sons of noblemen.

Syn. -- Politeness; urbanity; civility; complaisance; affability; courteousness; elegance; refinement; courtliness; good breeding. See Politeness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See the preceding word. ] An act of civility, respect, or reverence, made by women, consisting of a slight depression or dropping of the body, with bending of the knees. [ Written also curtsy and curtsey. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual. Golgsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Courtesied p. pr. & vb. n. Courtesying. ] To make a respectful salutation or movement of respect; esp. (with reference to women), to bow the body slightly, with bending of the knes. [ 1913 Webster ]