court
2
7.7
- noun
- /kɔrt/
- Formal
- Danny, Jack, and Eugene are eating while Rascal holds court with a group of fresh-faced rookies.
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Watch on YouTubeYou always holding court here at the radio station and you got a funny laugh, man.
- You always holding court here at the radio station and you got a funny laugh, man.
- And Plato did get made fun of by another student, Antisthenes, who said you go to pay court to tyrants.
- And as soon as I walk in, he's holding court.
- Listen, some people just like to hold court.
- The narcissist often sits there as though they are holding court and receiving what they believe is there.
- My advice is get in there early, stay sober, find the people you like, leave with them, go to a happy hour and not sit there and watch the narcissist hold to court.
Examples
-
The colonel met her and paid court to her before Sir Robert did.
Fiction book (1993) -
A group of banner-bearing protesters held court on a makeshift dais.
Academic text (2016) -
I'm sure that if Sir Brack were near he would have come and paid court to you as he always does.
-
I think she'll flirt with any officer who pays court to her, be he British or American.
Fiction book (1994) -
He paid court to her by complimenting her every chance he got.
-
The suitor's attempts to pay court to the princess were met with enthusiasm.
-
Many people came to court the wealthy merchant, hoping for a beneficial alliance.
Synonyms
784
1.0
Polite actions or words that show you value someone
54
6.8
Public respect shown to someone or something in a formal ceremony
34
7.8
Polite respect that makes you accept someone's wishes or opinions
2
6.0
A bow or action that shows deep respect to someone
1
3.9
Polite and kind behavior toward other people's feelings and wishes
1
8.1
Polite and elegant behavior like people at a royal court
1
3.5
A polite way of behaving that shows respect for other people
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
3
9.0
To reject something as silly and not take it seriously in places like a court or meeting
Compounds
∞
3.1
The highest court in the United States that makes final decisions for all other courts
183
3.1
A court the national government uses to decide cases about laws for the whole country
- Formal
135
3.5
An official instruction from a court telling someone to do or stop doing something
- Formal
82
5.0
A group of judges who review and can change decisions from lower courts
- UK
68
4.5
The top group of judges in a country or state that hears the most important cases and appeals
37
4.2
The highest group of judges in a U.S. state who decide appeals about state law
- Formal
32
3.3
The highest court in the United States that decides important national cases and reviews lower court decisions
29
2.7
A place in a shopping mall with many stalls selling different foods around shared tables
- Formal
22
5.7
A federal court that reviews cases from lower courts in a group of states
- Literature
20
4.4
The public's opinion about a person or issue formed outside a legal trial
- Formal
17
7.5
Showing disrespect to a judge or refusing to obey a court order that can be punished
- Formal
13
4.9
A group of officers who try members of the armed forces for breaking their rules
- Informal
12
5.1
A strong, aggressive effort to reach a goal quickly, often to win support
12
2.7
The highest court in the United States that decides important questions about the law for the whole country
- Formal
10
3.7
A court that ends marriages and decides matters like child custody and property
- Informal
6
8.8
An unfair trial that pretends to be legal and decides guilt beforehand
6
5.0
An international court that settles disputes between countries and gives advice on international law
A court that settles legal disputes between countries and gives legal advice to the United Nations
- Formal
3
7.9
A person or group not in a case who gives information about the law to help the court decide
2
9.1
A secret United States court that allows electronic monitoring and searches for foreign intelligence
- Formal
1
7.7
A military court that tries soldiers for less serious crimes, usually with three officers
- Formal
1
9.9
A court that deals with fairness in legal cases, like trusts and estates
- Formal
1
7.3
A court that deals with family problems like divorce, child custody, and support
- Formal
1
9.8
A court that handles disputes about trusts and wills and can order someone to stop actions, not criminal cases
- Archaic
1
4.6
A lower court that handles minor crimes and sends serious cases to a higher court
- Archaic
1
7.7
A small roadside hotel or group of cabins where you can park near your room
- Formal
1
8.1
A court set up by a written agreement to decide disputes about a town or group's rules
- Formal
1
6.8
A court that deals with family matters like custody, divorce, and child support
1
9.6
A major 1778 battle in New Jersey during the American Revolution where the British army withdrew
- Archaic
1
9.9
A military court that tries people for minor crimes during an occupation
A major American Civil War battle in May 1864 between Grant and Lee
A major 1778 battle in New Jersey during the American Revolution that made British troops leave
- Archaic
A former county court in England that heard serious criminal and civil trials
- Formal
A quick military trial held in the field for urgent offenses without the usual rules
How Deferential
Surface Forms
Etymology
Court in the phrase 'pay court' comes from people showing respect at a ruler's court to gain favour, so to pay court means to give respectful attention hoping for favour.