courtship

== English == === Etymology === From court (“demonstration of such respect as is traditionally given at court; attention directed to a person in power; behaviour designed to gain favour; politeness of manner; civility towards someone”) +‎ -ship (suffix forming nouns indicating a property or state of being). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈkɔːt.ʃɪp/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈkɔɹt.ʃɪp/ Hyphenation: court‧ship === Noun === courtship (countable and uncountable, plural courtships) (countable, uncountable) The act of paying court, that is, demonstrating such politeness and respect as is traditionally given at a court (“a formal assembly of a sovereign's retinue”). (obsolete) The ceremonial performance of acts of courtesy to a dignitary, etc. The act of wooing a person to enter into a romantic relationship or marriage; hence, the period during which a couple fall in love before their marriage. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:courtship (by extension) The behaviour exhibited by an animal to attract a mate. (figuratively) The act of trying to solicit a favour or support from someone. (countable, uncountable, obsolete) Elegance or propriety of manners fitting for a court; courtliness; (by extension) courteous or polite behaviour; courtesy. (uncountable, obsolete) The pursuit of being a courtier, such as exercising diplomacy, finesse, etc.; also, the artifices and intrigues of a court; courtcraft. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== court courting courtliness courtly ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === courtship on Wikipedia.Wikipedia