COURTING • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Courting

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/kˈɔrtɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Court v. t. (past & past part. courted; pres. part. courting)

To endeavor to gain the favor of by attention or flattery; to try to ingratiate one's self with. "By one person, hovever, Portland was still assiduously courted."

To endeavor to gain the affections of; to seek in marriage; to woo. "If either of you both love Katharina... Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure."

To attempt to gain; to solicit; to seek. "They might almost seem to have courted the crown of martyrdom." "Guilt and misery... court privacy and solitude."

To invite by attractions; to allure; to attract. "A well-worn pathway courted us To one green wicket in a privet hedge."

Court v. i.

To play the lover; to woo; as, to go courting.

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Etymology of 'Courting'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Courting" Quotes from Famous Books

... invitations that fell like a continuous snow-storm on the favoured roof of Mr. Vigo. Mr. Vigo was not a party question. He dined with high patricians who forgot their political differences, while they agreed in courting the presence of this great benefactor of his country. The fine ladies were as eager in their homage to this real patriot, and he might be seen between rival countesses, who emulated each other in their appreciation of his public services. These were Mr. Vigo's dangerous ...

— Endymion • Benjamin Disraeli

... considers that you hold him in righteous detestation: and, in consequence, his energies are roused: for he expects to suffer disaster, if you get your opportunity, unless he can anticipate you by inflicting it upon you. {19} So he is wide awake; he is on the alert; he is courting the help of others against Athens—of the Thebans and those Peloponnesians who sympathize with their wishes; thinking that their desire of gain will make them embrace the immediate prospect, while their native stupidity will prevent ...

— The Public Orations of Demosthenes, volume 1 • Demosthenes

... much better for going a courting, providing they court purely. Nothing tears the life out of man more than lust, vulgar thoughts and immoral conduct. The libertine or harlot has changed love, God's purest gift to man, into lust. They cannot acquire love in its purity again, the sacred flame has vanished forever. ...

— Searchlights on Health: Light on Dark Corners • B.G. Jefferis

... suffer extorted and sparing praise to burst open her lips; though looking at the same time like Saul meditating the pointed javelin at the heart of David, the glory of his kingdom. And now, methinks, I see my angel-friend, (too superior to take notice of her gloom,) courting her acceptance of the milk-white curd, from hands ...

— Clarissa Harlowe, Volume 9 (of 9) - The History Of A Young Lady • Samuel Richardson

... monarch. Wolsey, who had not forgotten the disappointment of his hopes in two successive conclaves, which he imputed chiefly to the Emperor, thought this a proper opportunity of taking revenge; and, Louise courting the friendship of England with such flattering submissions as were no less agreeable to the King than to the Cardinal, Henry gave her secret assurances that he would not lend his aid toward oppressing France in its present helpless state, and obliged her to promise that she would not consent ...

— The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 9 • Various

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