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courtship

courtship

9 3.9
Actions animals and people use to attract a mate
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔːrtʃɪp/
translation icon : cortejo
  • During the spring, many birds engage in elaborate courtship rituals to attract their mates.
  • courtship ritual
  • courtship and mating
  • courtship behavior

The phenomenon of love bombing really gets to the core of these sort of over the top courtships.

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Examples

  • Of all courtship rituals in the animal kingdom, the most spectacular by far is that of the bald eagle.

  • Evidence from other Drosophila studies shows that male-male courtship can also provide an edge as a learning experience.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The male produces his courtship signal sounds like this.

  • With the arrival of a female, the courtship ritual begins.

  • As I watched, a courtship sequence began on one of the small territories.

    Academic text (1991)
  • All over the world, their spectacular courtship displays have long delighted children and inspired poets.

    Academic text (2003)
  • In some populations where they grow relatively large, females initiate courtship several hours before they are ready to spawn.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Many will soon be dedicating their energies to courtship, mating, and rearing young.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Triggered by dusk's fading daylight, male fireflies lift off into the air and begin their courtship.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Back to our topic off the battlefield, pigeons are noteworthy for their elaborate courtship ritual, which involves touching beaks in what looks like a kiss.

Synonyms

courting
vscourtship
11 4.6

Trying to get someone's love, often with marriage in mind

is the broader period or process rather than a single intentional act
courtship ritual
vscourtship
1 5.6

Actions people or animals do to attract a partner before starting a relationship

is the broader period or process that includes such behaviors
wooing
vscourtship
1 5.5

To try to make someone love you, often to marry them

is the overall attraction process rather than an individual attempt
premating
vscourtship
  • Specialized
7.5

The time when animals or plants behave to prepare for mating

is the broader attraction period not only the immediate pre-mating stage

Antonyms

5 5.8

Not feeling interested in something, like a talk or task

3 6.2

A strong feeling of dislike and disgust

Compounds

Actions people or animals do to attract a partner before starting a relationship

How Ritualized

courtship
9 3.9
to display
  • Specialized
43 5.6
pairing
  • Specialized
1 3.5

Surface Forms

courtship singular
courtships plural

Morphology

courtship = court (transparent) = court + ship

The noun is formed from 'court' (behaviors to attract a mate) plus '-ship' indicating the period or state, matching the sense of mating behavior or rituals.

Etymology

Courtship comes from the same idea of court as trying to 'win favor' and the ending -ship meaning a 'state' or 'period'. That's why courtship describes the behaviors or 'rituals' people or animals use to attract a mate.