courtship

[ kawrt-ship, kohrt- ]
See synonyms for courtship on Thesaurus.com
noun

  1. the wooing of one person by another.

  2. the period during which such wooing takes place.

  1. solicitation of favors, applause, etc.

  2. Ethology. behavior in animals that occurs before and during mating, often including elaborate displays.

  3. Obsolete. courtly behavior; courtesy; gallantry.

Origin of courtship

1
First recorded in 1580–90; court + -ship

Words Nearby courtship

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use courtship in a sentence

  • There is no dramme of manhood to suspect,On such thin ayrie circumstance as thisMeere complement and courtship.

    The Fatal Dowry | Philip Massinger

  • I was riding by the ranch of Mr. Blank, who had wooed and won our cook after a courtship that was as brief as it was fervid.

  • Well, being safe again, he was a devoted lover again, and he must get on with his courtship.

    Overland | John William De Forest

  • There was nothing romantic in the courtship, but at the same time it was far from commonplace.

  • The girl "falls in love" with some one, and the courtship begins.

British Dictionary definitions for courtship

courtship

/ (ˈkɔːtʃɪp) /

noun

  1. the act, period, or art of seeking the love of someone with intent to marry

  2. the seeking or soliciting of favours

  1. obsolete courtly behaviour

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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