courtship ritual
1
5.6
- noun
- /ˈkɔrtʃɪp ˈrɪtʃuəl/
:
ritual de cortejo
- 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.
- an elaborate courtship ritual
I understand that human relationships evolve, and obviously we have come a long way from courtship rituals and quick marriages.
- I understand that human relationships evolve, and obviously we have come a long way from courtship rituals and quick marriages.
Examples
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I think it's a, a neat part of the courtship ritual to show up with flowers.
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With the arrival of a female, the courtship ritual begins.
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Of all courtship rituals in the animal kingdom, the most spectacular by far is that of the bald eagle.
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After a male succeeds in mounting a female, the pair embarks on an elaborate courtship ritual in which they rock back and forth for up to fifteen minutes.
Academic text (2011) -
This courtship ritual was repeated throughout the day, and often the same male enticed other females to spawn in his nest, accumulating as many as twenty clutches of eggs.
Academic text (1990) -
Giving flowers is a common part of many cultures' courtship rituals when two people begin to date.
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During the spring, many birds engage in a courtship ritual that includes impressive dances and calls.
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In many societies, sharing a romantic dinner is considered a significant courtship ritual between partners.
Synonyms
11
4.6
Trying to get someone's love, often with marriage in mind
9
3.9
Actions animals and people use to attract a mate
Antonyms
How Ritualized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'courtship' (the pursuit of a romantic partner) combined with 'ritual' (a repeated customary pattern of actions) yields a set of customary behaviors associated with courtship. This straightforward noun+noun combination follows common semantic logic across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Courtship ritual paints a simple picture: courtship is the act of showing interest and a ritual is a set of repeated moves, like a little dance animals or people use to 'attract a partner'. So the phrase means 'a usual set of actions people or animals use to win someone's romantic interest'.