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View synonyms for curvet

curvet

[ noun kur-vit; verb ker-vet, kur-vit ]

noun

  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.


verb (used without object)

, cur·vet·ted or cur·vet·ed, cur·vet·ting or cur·vet·ing.
  1. to leap in a curvet, as a horse; cause one's horse to do this.
  2. to leap and frisk.

verb (used with object)

, cur·vet·ted or cur·vet·ed, cur·vet·ting or cur·vet·ing.
  1. to cause to make a curvet.

curvet

/ kɜːˈvɛt /

noun

  1. dressage a low leap with all four feet off the ground


verb

  1. dressage to make or cause to make such a leap
  2. intr to prance or frisk about

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Word History and Origins

Origin of curvet1

1565–75; earlier curvetto < Italian corvetta < French courbette, equivalent to courb(er) to bend, curve (≪ Latin curvāre; curve ) + -ette -ette ( def )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of curvet1

C16: from Old Italian corvetta, from Old French courbette, from courber to bend, from Latin curvāre

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Example Sentences

With one bound he was in the saddle, made his horse curvet, and hid himself behind the enormous stem of the mahogany tree.

By so doing, the mouth of the horse receives a jerk which seldom fails to make it rear and curvet from side to side.

I knew that he made the pony curvet because I liked it; and presently my grandmother discovered that and took me away.

When the local was still far behind she would begin to curvet and take the bit between her teeth.

At this the hector sprang to his feet and mounted his grey charger, which he caused to prance and curvet across the field.

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curve fittingcurvette