courtest

Verb

court (third-person singular simple present courts, present participle courting, simple past and past participle courted)

1. (transitive) To seek to achieve or win (a prize).
   • He was courting big new accounts that previous salesmen had not attempted.
2. (transitive) To risk (a consequence, usually negative).
   • She courted controversy with her frank speeches.
3. (transitive) To attempt to attract, in any way; to invite by attractions.
   • Near-synonyms: entice, allure; see also Thesaurus:allure

   Synonyms:

   entice, allure, arrest, attract, becharm, beguile, bewitch, beckon, captivate, charm

   1. (transitive) To try to win a commitment to marry from.
      • If either of you both love Katharina […] / Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.c. 1590–1592, William Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew, act 1, scene 1
   2. (transitive) To engage in behavior conducive to mating with.
      • The bird was courting a potential mate by performing an elaborate dance.
   3. (transitive) To attempt to gain alliance with.

See all 27 meanings of court