Main Entry:

¹court

Pronunciation:

\ˈkȯrt\

Function:

noun

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French curt, court, from Latin cohort-, cohors enclosure, group, retinue, cohort, from co- + -hort-, -hors (akin to hortus garden) — more at yard

Date:

12th century

1 a: the residence or establishment of a sovereign or similar dignitary b: a sovereign's formal assembly of councillors and officers c: the sovereign and officers and advisers who are the governing power d: the family and retinue of a sovereign e: a reception held by a sovereign2 a (1): a manor house or large building surrounded by usually enclosed grounds (2): motel b: an open space enclosed wholly or partly by buildings or circumscribed by a single building c: a quadrangular space walled or marked off for playing one of various games with a ball (as lawn tennis, handball, or basketball) ; also : a division of such a court d: a wide alley with only one opening onto a street3 a: an official assembly for the transaction of judicial business b: a session of such a court <court is now adjourned> c: a place (as a chamber) for the administration of justice d: a judge or judges in session ; also : a faculty or agency of judgment or evaluation <rest our case in the court of world opinion — L. H. Marks>4 a: an assembly or board with legislative or administrative powers b: parliament, legislature5: conduct or attention intended to win favor or dispel hostility : homage <pay court to the king>