court

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
court/kɔːt/

▶noun

• 1 (also court of law) a body of people before whom judicial cases are heard.

  ■ the place where a court meets.

• 2 a quadrangular area marked out for ball games such as tennis.

  ■ a quadrangle surrounded by a building or group of buildings.

• 3 the establishment, retinue, and courtiers of a sovereign.

• 4 the qualified members of a company or a corporation.

▶verb

• 1 dated be involved with romantically, typically with the intention of marrying.

  ■ (of a male bird or other animal) try to attract (a mate).

• 2 attempt to win the support or favour of.

  ■ go to great lengths to win (favourable attention).

• 3 risk incurring (misfortune) because of the way one behaves.

– phrases
out of court before a legal hearing can take place.
pay court to pay flattering attention to.

– origin ME: from OFr. cort, from L. cohors, cohort- ‘yard or retinue’; the verb is influenced by Old Ital. corteare, OFr. courtoyer.