cavort

== English == === Etymology === Originated in the United States in 1793, as cauvaut, applying to horses, probably from the colloquial intensifying prefix ca-/ka- + vault (“jump, leap”); later generalized. Early sources connect it to cavault, a term for a certain demeanor of horses. Alternatively, a variation of curvet. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /kəˈvɔːt/ (US, Canada) IPA(key): /kəˈvɔɹt/ (Australian, New Zealand) IPA(key): /kəˈvoːt/ Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)t === Verb === cavort (third-person singular simple present cavorts, present participle cavorting, simple past and past participle cavorted) (originally intransitive, of horses) To prance, frolic, gambol. (intransitive) To move about carelessly, playfully or boisterously. Synonyms: romp, frolic, prance, caper (informal) To engage in extravagant pursuits, especially of a sexual nature. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== horse around === References === Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “cavort”, in Online Etymology Dictionary. “The Way We Live Now: 7-14-02: On Language; Cavort”, William Safire criticizes White House rhetorics who apparently use the word to mean consort, and discusses its possible origins. === Anagrams === VORTAC