from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Court \Court\, 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.
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By one person, hovever, Portland was still
assiduously courted. --Macaulay.
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2. To endeavor to gain the affections of; to seek in
marriage; to woo.
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If either of you both love Katharina . . .
Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.
--Shak.
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3. To attempt to gain; to solicit; to seek.
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They might almost seem to have courted the crown of
martyrdom. --Prescott.
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Guilt and misery . . . court privacy and solitude.
--De Quincey.
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4. To invite by attractions; to allure; to attract.
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A well-worn pathway courted us
To one green wicket in a privet hedge. --Tennyson.
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