from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sport \Sport\ (sp[=o]rt), n. [Abbreviated from disport.]
1. That which diverts, and makes mirth; pastime; amusement.
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It is as sport to a fool to do mischief. --Prov. x.
23.
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Her sports were such as carried riches of knowledge
upon the stream of delight. --Sir P.
Sidney.
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Think it but a minute spent in sport. --Shak.
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2. Mock; mockery; contemptuous mirth; derision.
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Then make sport at me; then let me be your jest.
--Shak.
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3. That with which one plays, or which is driven about in
play; a toy; a plaything; an object of mockery.
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Flitting leaves, the sport of every wind. --Dryden.
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Never does man appear to greater disadvantage than
when he is the sport of his own ungoverned passions.
--John Clarke.
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4. Play; idle jingle.
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An author who should introduce such a sport of words
upon our stage would meet with small applause.
--Broome.
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5. Diversion of the field, as fowling, hunting, fishing,
racing, games, and the like, esp. when money is staked.
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6. (Bot. & Zool.) A plant or an animal, or part of a plant or
animal, which has some peculiarity not usually seen in the
species; an abnormal variety or growth. See {Sporting
plant}, under {Sporting}.
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7. A sportsman; a gambler. [Slang]
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{In sport}, in jest; for play or diversion. "So is the man
that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in
sport?" --Prov. xxvi. 19.
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Syn: Play; game; diversion; frolic; mirth; mock; mockery;
jeer.
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