Court sb.¹

Forms: 2–4 curt, 3 kurt, (4 courete, curth), 4–5 kourt(t, 4–6 curte, cort(e, 4–7 courte, (5 courtte, cowrtt, cowurt, kourtt, 5–6 cowrte, 6 cortte), 3– court. [Early ME. curt, court, a. OF. cort, curt, later court (from 15th c. cour) = Pr. cort, Sp. and It. corte:—L. cohort-em, cōrt-em (nom. cohors, cors, in med.L. cortis, curtis) court, poultry-yard, yard, enclosure, also company of soldiers (COHORT), crowd of attendants, retinue. At an early date the French word appears to have been associated with L. cūria (which has not itself survived in Romanic), and hence apparently the series of senses under branches III and IV, in which cūria is the regular med.L. equivalent.]

  I.  An enclosed area, a yard.

  1.  A clear space enclosed by walls or surrounded by buildings; a yard, a court-yard; e.g., that surrounding a castle, or that left for the sake of light, etc., in the center of a large building or mass of buildings; formerly also a farm-yard, poultry-yard. At Cambridge, the usual name for a college quadrangle.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 9934 (Cott.). Þat castel brightnes sua vngnede Oueral þat curt on lenght and brede.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XV. 466. Riȝt as capones in a court cometh to mennes whistlynge.

1535.  Coverdale, 2 Sam. xvii. 18. They … came to a mans house at Bahurim, which had a well in his courte.

1542.  Boorde, Dyetary, 238. Than deuyde the lodgynges by the cyrcuyte of the quadryuyall courte.

1555.  Eden, Decades, 259. There are … in the castell … three very large courtes in the which the noble men of the courte haue theyr lodgynges.

1611.  Bible, Esther v. 1. Esther … stood in the inner court of the kings house.

1625.  Bacon, Ess., Building (Arb.), 550. And in all the foure Corners of that Court, Faire Staire Cases.

1724.  De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 78. The king came down into the castle court.

1789.  P. Smyth, trans. Aldrich’s Archit. (1818), 147. Through the entrance you go into the great court.

1828.  Scott, F. M. Perth, xvii. The jolly train halted before the door of Sir John Ramorny’s house, which a small court divided from the street.

1862.  Stanley, Jew. Ch. (1877), I. iv. 75. Round the cloisters of the vast courts into which these gateways opened were spacious mansions.

  b.  Each of the uncovered enclosures surrounding the Jewish tabernacle, and constituting the temple area round the fane or sanctuary on Mount Moriah. [Vulg. atrium.]

1535.  Coverdale, Ps. lxiv. 4. Blessed is the man whom thou chosest … that he may dwell in thy courte.

1611.  Bible, Ex. xxvii. 12. And for the breadth of the Court, on the Westside shalbe hangings of fifty cubits. Ibid., Ps. lxxxiv. 2. My soule longeth, yea euen fainteth for the courts of the Lord.

  fig.  1619.  W. Whately, Gods Husb., I. 32. The true Christian … hath farre more to doe in the inward roomes of his soule, than in the outer court of his conuersation.

1874.  Morley, Compromise (1886), 50. Those who unfortunately have to sit in the darkness of the outer court?

  c.  A section or subdivision of the area of an Exhibition building, a museum, or the like, open above (to the general roof), and usually devoted to the products of a particular country, or department of science, art or industry.

  This application of the word appears to have originated in the structure of the building in Hyde Park for the Great Exhibition of 1851. The rows of pillars supporting the roof, which crossed each other at right angles, divided the central area into a number of rectangular sections; these being themselves open to the lofty roof, while bordered on two sides by galleries supported by the pillars, suggested courts within buildings, and soon received the name; the term was further extended in the Crystal Palace at Sydenham (as in the Alhambra, Egyptian, Pompeian and Renaissance Courts), and in later Exhibitions has been used with still greater extension; it has also been, with more closeness to the original notion, applied to the central open area of a museum, surrounded by its arcades and galleries.

1851.  Illust. Lond. News, 3 May, 364/1. The very nature of the construction of the building suggests its subdivision into courts; and this is distinctly illustrated in the plan of the gallery…; there are four of these large courts, and two smaller ones, parallel with the transept in each of these western divisions of the Building;… from the gallery these courts form a most interesting feature in the arrangements. Ibid., 31 May, 494. The Tunis Court. Ibid., 495. The Canadian Court … The Building Court.

1854.  (title) The Ten Chief Courts of the Sydenham Palace.

1862.  Illust. Lond. News, XL. 315/1. (International Exhib.) The French Court will be the largest … section of the foreign department in the whole building.

1886.  Guide to Colonial & Ind. Exhib., 21. The Court devoted to Tea, Coffee, and Tobacco is filled with the largest assortment of specimens ever got together.

1891.  Kelly’s Direct. Oxfordsh., 697/2. The Oxford University Museum…. The main entrance … leading into a large lobby and thence into the great Court, which has a glass roof supported by iron columns and arches … the court is surrounded by an open arcade of two storeys.

  † 2.  A large building or set of buildings standing in a court-yard; a large house or castle. In early times applied to a manorial house; = BURY. Obs.

1297.  R. Glouc. (1724), 385. Hii by gonne hem to sprede, And robby aboute & berne, & courtes adoun caste. Ibid., 546. Curt Lincolne & Berkele, & other courtes also, Were aboute in the lond tho a fure ido.

c. 1300.  Havelok, 1685. His wif he dide with him lede, Vn-to þe heye curt [Ubbe’s castle] he yede.

c. 1320.  Sir Beues, 334. Toward is kourt [v.r. hous] he [Sir Saber] him kende.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XIII. 23. Conscience … bad me come to his courte, with clergye sholde I dyne.

1598.  Stow, Surv., xxxiii. (1603), 294. The name of Aldermans burie (which is to say a Court) there kept in their Bery or Court-hall.

1847–78.  Halliwell, Court, the principal house in a village.

1887.  Parish & Shaw, Kentish Dial. (E. D. S.), Court, or Court lodge, the manor house, where the court leet of the manor is held.

  b.  Often in proper names of English manor-houses, e.g., Hampton Court, Tottenham Court.

a. 1529.  Skelton, Why not to Court, 401. To whyche court? To the kynges courte, Or to Hampton Court?

c. 1630.  Risdon, Surv. Devon (1714), II. 89. This Nutwell Court (which signifies a Mansion-house in a Seigniory).

1737.  Pope, Hor. Epist., II. ii. 232. Delightful Abs-court, if its fields afford Their fruits to you, confesses you its lord.

1842.  Tennyson, Audley Court, 3. Let us picnic there At Audley Court.

  3.  In a town: A confined yard or more or less quadrangular space opening off a street, and built around with houses; ‘a small opening inclosed with houses and paved with broad stones, distinguished from a street’ (J.).

  In towns, usually tenanted by the poor, except where, as in the City of London, they have been converted into business offices, e.g., Copthall Court, Hatton Court (Threadneedle Street), and the like.

1687.  Lond. Gaz., No. 2298/3. He liv’d in Drury-lane in King’s-Head-Court.

1799.  trans. Meister’s Lett. Eng., 178. Lanes and Courts [in London] are passages through which no carriage can pass, and, therefore, they are commonly paved in the same manner as the footways.

1838.  Lytton, Leila, I. v. He … continued his way with rapid strides, through various courts and alleys.

1847.  Alb. Smith, Chr. Tadpole, xix. (1879), 177. The shop … was situated in a little narrow court.

1885.  L’pool Daily Post, 30 June, 4/6. A city-bred child, brought up in narrow, dingy streets and courts.

  4.  An enclosed quadrangular area, uncovered or covered, with a smooth level floor, in which tennis, rackets or fives are played; the plot of ground marked out for lawn-tennis; also applied to each of the quadrangular divisions marked on such grounds. (See TENNIS-COURT, etc.)

1519.  in Lett. & Papers Hen. VIII. (Brewer), III. II. The tennis court at Richmond.

1587.  Holinshed, Chron., 545. He would tosse him som London balles that perchance would shake the walles of the best court in France.

1599.  Shaks., Hen. V., I. ii. 265. Tell him, he hath made a match with such a Wrangler, That all the Courts of France will be disturb’d With Chaces.

1684.  R. H., School Recreat., 84. Tennis … is a Pastime, used in close or open Courts, by striking a little Round Ball to and fro … with … a Racket.

1878.  Julian Marshall, Ann. Tennis, 115. In order to understand the game of Tennis, one should first of all become acquainted with the arena, or Court, in which it is played. Ibid., 117. The area enclosed between the lines x and p, and the walls, may be called the service-court; and the area enclosed between x, p, h, and the main wall, the pass-court.

  II.  A princely residence, household, retinue.

  5.  The place where a sovereign (or other high dignitary) resides and holds state, attended by his retinue.

  This sense is said to have arisen in Old French, the name curt being applied to the residences of the early Frankish kings on their rural domains: see Littré, and cf. sense 2. But the actual history is involved in obscurity from the paucity of early evidence.

a. 1175.  Lofsong, in Cott. Hom., 231. An rice king … wolde … ȝeclepien all his under-þeod þat hi … to his curt [berie] come sceolde.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. VIII. 15. Þei … knowen contrees and courtes and many kynnes places.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 646. He … Is riden in to the feeldes hym to pleye Out of the court were it a myle or tweye.

1480.  Caxton, Descr. Eng., 17. The messagers of Rome came to the grete Arthurs court.

1534.  Tindale, Luke vii. 25. They which are gorgeously apparelled and lyue delicatly are in kynges courtes.

1600.  Shaks., A. Y. L., I. iii. 43. Mistris, dispatch you with your safest haste, And get you from our Court.

1667.  Milton, P. L., I. 497. In Courts and Palaces he also Reigns And in luxurious Cities.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 509. The quarters of William now began to present the appearance of a court.

  6.  The establishment and surroundings of a sovereign with his councillors and retinue.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 210. Auh heo lebbeð to þe ueonde, & beoð alle ine his hirde, & serueð him ine his kurt.

1340.  Ayenb., 256. Ac ulatours and lyeȝeres byeþ to grat cheap ine hare cort.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), vi. 18. Þe maner of his [the Soudan’s] courte schold I wele ynogh ken.

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., II. ii. 62. When the Court lay at Windsor.

1665.  Boyle, Occas. Refl., V. v. (1675), 316. It will … be imitated by all those on whom the Court has Influence.

1704.  Addison, Italy, 9. Pictures of the reigning Beauties of the Court of France.

1830.  D’Israeli, Chas. I., III. vi. 93. Charles appears to have designed that his Court should resemble the literary Court of the Medici.

1851.  Tennyson, To the Queen, 25. May children of our children say … ‘Her court was pure.’

  b.  without article or other defining word (at court, to court, etc.), primarily meaning the place, but including the persons and proceedings. Cf. at church, council, school, etc.

c. 1300.  Beket, 165. He com to court and was in god offiz With the Archebischop of Canterbury.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prol., 140. And peyned hire to countrefete cheere Of court, and been estatlich of manere.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 11527. All the councell fro kourtt was clenely depertid.

a. 1529.  Skelton (title), Why come ye nat to Courte?

1611.  Shaks., Cymb., III. iv. 129. You shall be mist at Court.

a. 1704.  T. Brown, Eng. Sat., Wks. 1730, I. 29. His writings … had the air of Court.

1759.  Johnson, Idler, No. 64, ¶ 3. I appeared at court on all publick days.

1859.  Tennyson, Elaine, 1118. I go in state to court, to meet the Queen.

  c.  The Court: as an institution.

1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 264/4. She norysshed them more for desert than for the courte.

a. 1616.  Beaum. & Fl., Cust. Country, II. i. The court’s a school, indeed, in which some few Learn virtuous principles.

1707.  Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 22. Every one is tir’d with being here, but the Court enervates our Resolution.

1805.  Scott, Last Minstrel, III. ii. Love rules the court, the camp, the grove.

  7.  The body of courtiers collectively; the retinue (councillors, attendants, etc.) of a sovereign or high dignitary. (Construed as plural.)

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5244 (Cott.). Ioseph of his fader herd, Wit his curt gain him he ferd.

a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 981. A crie þat all þe curte kniȝtis and erles Suld put þaim in-to presens his precep to here.

1481.  Caxton, Reynard, i. (Arb.), 5. Whan the kynge of alle beestis had assemblid alle his court.

1600.  Disc. Gourie Conspir., in Moyses, Mem. (1755), 266. All the huntsmen … attending his majestie on the green, and the court making to their horses.

1774.  Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), VII. 198. In the presence of the Great Duke of Tuscany and his court.

1859.  Thackeray, Virgin., xxii. If the king and the whole court are standing by!

1859.  Tennyson, Guinevere, 21. One morn when all the court, Green-suited … Had been, their wont, a-maying.

  † b.  An escort. Obs.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, I. 381. Part of the court had Wallace labour seyne. Ibid., IV. 22. Wallace sum part befor the court furth raid.

  8.  The sovereign with his ministers and councillors as the ruling power of a state, or in international relations. (Construed as singular.)

1393.  Gower, Conf., III. 163. In Chambre whom the court avaunceth.

1651.  Sir E. Nicholas, in N. Papers (Camden), 234. To give you some pertinent notice of the affaires of the French court.

1841.  Elphinstone, Hist. Ind., II. 641. An assignment granted to him by the court of Delhi.

1848.  W. H. Kelly, trans. L. Blanc’s Hist. Ten Y., II. 622. The two cabinets whose union had caused the northern courts so much uneasiness.

Mod.  Accredited as ambassador to the Court of St. James’s.

  b.  Court of Rome: the papal Curia.

c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., I. 25/50. Þe erende þat huy brouȝten fram þe court of Rome.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1725), 1. He wente vnto þe courte of Rome, For to tak his penance.

c. 1400.  Apol. Loll., 12. In þe court of Rome mai no man geyt no grace, but if it be bowt.

1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., II. ii. 105. The Court of Rome commanding.

  III.  An assembly held by the sovereign.

  9.  A formal assembly held by the sovereign at his residence: in early times, of his councillors and great lords, for purposes of administration; in later times to give state receptions, audience to ambassadors, and the like. The early use has given rise to the ‘high court of parliament’ (sense 10), and ‘the king’s courts’ of justice (sense 11); the modern use is naturally associated with senses 6, 7, as in to be presented at court.

1154.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.). And [Henri] held þær [in Lundene] micel curt. [The regular phrase said of earlier kings was ‘heold his hired’: cf. 1085, 1091, 1106, 1110.]

1700.  Dryden, Cymon & Iphig., 42. In that sweet isle where Venus keeps her court.

1831.  Sir J. Sinclair, Corr., II. 331. At Berlin, the Court was only held on Sundays.

1859.  Tennyson, Geraint & Enid, 146. For Arthur on the Whitsuntide before Held court at old Caerleon upon Usk.

1879.  Miss Yonge, Cameos, Ser. IV. ix. 109. He … journeyed to York, and held court there for a week.

  IV.  A court of judicature, of law, or of administration.

  10.  Applied to Parliament. Cf. Sp. Cortes.

1450.  Impeachm. Dk. Suffolk, in Paston Lett., No. 76, I. 105. We … pray that this be enacte in this your High Courte of Parlement.

1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., V. ii. 134. Now call we our High Court of Parliament, And let vs choose such Limbes of Noble Counsaile.

a. 1600.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., VIII. vi. § 10. Parliament being a mere temporal court.

1662.  Bk. Com. Prayer, A Prayer for the High Court of Parliament, to be read during their Session.

  11.  An assembly of judges or other persons legally appointed and acting as a tribunal to hear and determine any cause, civil, ecclesiastical, military or naval.

  Justice was in early times administered in assemblies held by the sovereign personally (sense 9), then by judges who followed the king as officers of his court; hence the title the King’s Courts (curia regis).

  In this sense more fully defined as court of law, law-court, court of justice, of judicature. These are distinguished as superior or inferior, according to their respective rank, the highest court of a country or state being called the Supreme Court. Court of first instance: a court in which a matter must first be tried, as distinguished from a court of appeal, to which it may subsequently be carried. Court of record: see quot. 1765.

[1292.  Britton, I. i. § 1. En dreit de nous mesures et de nostre Curt. Ibid., § 11. Sauve les Justices qi suivent nous en nostre Court.]

1297.  R. Glouc. (1724), 471. The king wolde, that in is court the ple solde be driue.

c. 1300.  Beket, 606. That he scholde fram thulke curt biclipie to the kynge.

c. 1320.  Cast. Love, 239. In þe kynges court ȝit vche day Me vseþ þulke selue lay.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1725), 173. Þe courte opon him sat, þe quest filed him & schent.

1490.  Plumpton Corr., 91. The serch and the copy of the wrytts, out of one cort to another costeth much money.

1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., IV. i. 243. I do beseech the Court To giue the iudgement. Ibid., 338. He hath refus’d it in the open Court.

1637.  Decree Star Chamb., in Milton’s Areop. (Arb.), 8. The Court hath now also ordered, That the said Decree shall speedily be Printed.

1641.  Termes de la Ley, 94 b. The greater part are Courts of record, some are not, and therfore accounted base Courts in comparison of the others.

c. 1670.  Hobbes, Dial. Com. Laws (1840), 25. A court of justice is that which hath cognizance of such causes as are to be ended by the positive laws of the land.

1765.  Blackstone, Comm., I. 257. He [the king] therefore has alone the right of erecting courts of judicature. Ibid., III. 24. A court of record is that where the acts and judicial proceedings are enrolled in parchment for a perpetual memorial and testimony.

1809.  Tomlins, Law Dict., s.v. Pleading 1. § 2. This would often embarrass the jury, and sometimes the Court itself.

1864.  Spectator, No. 1875. 641. This new Court is to be in ecclesiastical matters a Court of first instance.

1879.  Froude, Cæsar, x. 110. The courts of the Equites … were to be composed two-thirds of knights and one-third only of senators.

1886.  Morley, Pop. Culture, Crit. Misc. III. 16. In crimes and contracts, and the other business of courts of law.

1888.  Bryce, Amer. Commw. (1889), xlii. init., The Judiciary in every State includes three sets of courts:—A supreme court or court of appeal; superior courts of record; local courts.

  b.  With many specific qualifications indicating the sphere, business or constitution of the court, as

  BASE, BURGH, CIRCUIT, COUNTY, CRIMINAL, CUSTOMARY, FOREST, HUNDRED, INSOLVENT, MANORIAL, POLICE, SHERIFF, etc.: C. of ADMIRALTY, ARCHES, ATTACHMENTS, AUGMENTATION, CHANCERY, CHIVALRY, COMMON PLEAS, EQUITY, GUESTLING, High COMMISSION, JUSTICIARY, King’s or Queen’s BENCH, LODEMANAGE, PIEPOWDER, PROBATE, SESSION, STANNARIES, TEINDS, TRAILBASTON, WARDS, etc., for which see these words.

  c.  Court of Claims: a court in which claims are adjudicated on; in U.S. a court sitting at Washington for the investigation of claims against the government; also, in some States, a county-court charged with the financial business of the county. Court of Conscience or of Requests: a small debt court; court of conscience (fig.), conscience as a moral tribunal.

1603.  Dekker, Grissil (Shaks. Soc.), 17. Signor Emulo las warn’d my master to the court of conscience.

1680.  Dryden, Prol. Lee’s Cæsar Borgia, 22.

1689.  Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), I. 563. An act for erecting a court of conscience at Newcastle upon Tine. Ibid. (1691), II. 314. Many Irish were come to Dublin … to demand their estates, which were restored … a court of claimes will be sett up there to decide such matters.

1798.  W. Hutton, Autobiog., 123. Courts of Requests or Courts of Conscience, for the recovery of small debts, were first established in the reign of Henry VIII., and they now exist under local Acts, in many populous places.

1882.  Serjt. Ballantine, Exper., ii. 24. Here and there in the metropolis were dotted small debts courts … called Courts of Request.

  12.  The place, hall or chamber in which justice is judicially administered.

  (In many phrases senses 11 and 12 are blended: cf. b.)

[a. 1300.  Cursor M., 21435 (Cott.). Bath to þe quenes curt þai com, þe Iuu thrali badd giue him dom.] Ibid., 19139 (Edin.). Þai gaderit oute baþe prince and priste, and set þaim in þat curte imide.

1481.  Caxton, Reynard, xiii. (Arb.), 29. Reynart … wente forth proudly with his neueu thurgh the hyest street of the courte.

1530.  Palsgr., 210/1. Court where men plede, avditoir.

1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., IV. i. 14. Go one and cal the Iew into the Court.

1628.  Coke, On Litt., 58 a. Court is a place where Iustice is iudicially ministred.

1862.  Trollope, Orley F., xiv. 117. But won’t she have to go and sit in the court,—with all the people staring at her?

1892.  Pall Mall Gaz., 5 Feb., 6/1. The Master of the Rolls: What is a court? This remarkably ugly room is called a court, but it is not the ugly room that is a court. It is a court because we sit in it.

  b.  without article or other defining word (in, into, out of court, etc.), including place and proceedings. Also in phrases, as † men of court (= men of law), † attorneys of court, INNS OF COURT.

a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 398. Tu schalt, þu motild, to curt cumen seoðen.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 9478 (Cott.). Þis es bot lagh … Vsed in curth þis ilk dai.

c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. P., A. 700. To corte quen þou schal com, Þer alle oure causez schal be tryed.

1399.  Pol. Poems (1859), I. 409. They cared ffor no coyffes That men of court usyn.

1474.  Caxton, Chesse, 79. Men of lawe and attorneyes of court.

1556.  Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden), 17. This yere was a grete debate arose betwene Flet strete and the howsys of corte.

1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., III. ii. 10. It is his Highnesse pleasure, that the Queene Appeare in person, here in Court.

1713.  Pope, Frenzy of J. D. Producing further proofs of this truth in open court.

1883.  Sir E. Fry, in Law Rep. 11 Q. Bench Div. 596. A barrister may be … reprimanded by the judge if he misconducts himself in court.

Mod.  The case had been already settled out of court.

  c.  Phr. Out of court: said of a plaintiff who has forfeited his claim to be heard; now mostly fig. of arguments having no claim to consideration.

1846.  Mill, Logic, III. xx. § 2. The argument of analogy is put out of court.

1848.  Wharton, Law Lex., Out of Court, a plaintiff in an action at common law must declare within one year after the service of a writ of summons, otherwise he is out of court.

1855.  Bright, Sp., Russia, 7 June. These gentlemen are almost, if not altogether, out of court.

1885.  J. Bonar, Malthus, II. i. 252. Though there is much truth still in many of his statements, the conclusion he draws from them … is quite out of court now.

  13.  A session of a judicial assembly; usually in phr. to hold († keep) a court. (Cf. sense 9.)

[1292.  Britton, I. i. § 13. Et volums ausi, qe … soint les Courtz tenues par les suytours.]

1297.  R. Glouc. (1724), 538. The constable of Gloucetre … Held ofte, in the kinges name, courtes ver & ner.

14[?].  Customs of Malton, in Surtees Misc. (1890), 58. Thay schall haffe two Ballyffes and two undyr Ballyffes … for to hold the fore sayd cowrtt of ther own fre will.

1535.  Coverdale, 2 Macc. iv. 43. Of these matters therfore there was kepte a courte agaynst Menelaus.

1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., IV. i. 27. The Archbishop Of Canterbury … Held a late Court at Dunstable.

c. 1774.  T. Hutchinson, Diary, I. 69. The Superior Court was to be held the next morning in Boston.

1806.  Gazetteer Scotl. (ed. 2), 197. Forfar … the county town of Angus-shire, where the sheriff has held his courts for upwards of two centuries.

  † b.  A council of War. (Cf. COURT-MARTIAL).

1623.  Bingham, Xenophon, 73. When the Reare was come vp, immediately he called a Court of Coronels and Captaines.

1655.  Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 302. A Souldier … sneezing at a Court of War the whole Company bowed and blessed the Gods.

  14.  An assembly or meeting of the qualified members of a company or corporation (general court), or of the managing board or council thereof (court of assistants, committees, directors, governors, according to the style of these in different corporations); also, the qualified members or board collectively.

1527.  Minute-book of the Mercers’ Company (London), The Courte of our Compeny holden the 5th day of March 1456.

1555.  Articles Russia Co., in Hakluyt, Voy. (1589), 295. The Gouernour, Consuls, Assistants, and whole Company assembled this day in open court.

1556.  Minute-bk. Grocers’ Co., London, (heading), Courte of Assistaunts.

1600.  (Dec. 31) Charler E. Ind. Co., At any of their publick Assemblies, commonly called their General Court, holden for the said Company.

1608.  (title) Letter from the Factors at Bantam to the Court of Committees of the East India Company, 4th Dec.

1619–20.  Order & Constit. Virginia, 4 Rule 14. The Treasurer and the Counseil, or the Court, haue power to admit any into this Society. Ibid., 18. It shall not be counted a Court of Comitties, vnless the Treasurer or Deputie with sixe Comitties be present.

1628.  Charter of Chas. I. to Mattachusetts Bay Co., The said governor, deputy governor, and assistants of the said company … shall or may … assemble and hold and keep a court or assembly of themselves for the better ordering and directing of their affairs.

1661.  Charter of Chas. II. to E. Ind. Co., 3. At any public Assembly commonly called the Court General, holden for the said Company.

1694.  Charter Bank of Eng. (in Penny Cycl., III. 380/1). That thirteen or more of the said governors and directors … shall constitute a Court of Directors.

1713.  Lond. Gaz., No. 5097/1. The Sovereign, Recorder, Burgesses, Freemen, and Commonalty of Your Majesty’s … Corporation of Kinsale, assembled at a Court of Deer-hundred.

1722.  Act Incorp. Guy’s Hosp., 15. Subject to the approbation or disallowance of a General Court or Assembly of such intended Corporation.

1726.  Craftsman, No. 5 (1727), 43. This day was held here [at the East India House] a general Court of the United Company of Merchants of England.

1829.  Heath, Grocers’ Comp. (1869), p. vii. The Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the Worshipful Company of Grocers.

1833.  Act renewing Charter of Bank of Eng. (in Penny Cycl., III. 383/1). A general Court of Proprietors of the Bank shall be held.

1839.  Penny Cycl., XIV. 118/1. The senior law-officers of the city have seats in the court [of Common Council], but have no vote…. The sheriffs attend the lord-mayor on state occasions and at every court of aldermen. Ibid., 119/1. Certain senior members of the livery, who form what is commonly called ‘The Court of Assistants.’

1854.  Stocqueler, Brit. India, 43. There are eighteen directors of the East India Company, ten or more of whom constitute a ‘court.’

  15.  General Court: the designation of the legislatures of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as Colonies and as States of the American Union.

  The former is the continuation of the ‘general court’ of the Massachusetts Bay Company, in preceding sense.

1628.  Charter of Chas. I. to Mattachusetts Bay Co., Held and kept by the governor, or deputy governor of the said company, and seven or more of the said assistants … which four general assemblies shall be styled and called the four great and general courts of the said company.

1662.  Massach. Colony Laws, c. 108 (1814), 211. It is ordered by this court and the authority thereof, that [etc.].

1691.  Massach. Province Charter (1814), 8. Which said great and general court or assembly shall consist of the governor and council or assistants for the time being; and of such freeholders of our said province or territory as shall be … elected or deputed by the … inhabitants of the respective towns or places.

1726.  Explan. Charter of Geo. I., The representatives … shall … elect a fit person out of the said representatives to be speaker of the house of representatives in such general court.

1776.  Massach. Prov. Laws 10 Geo. III., c. 328. An act providing for a more equal representation in the General Court. Ibid. (1777), c. 335, 1 Ind. (1814), 701. Whereas the King of Great Britain hath abdicated the government of this and the other United States of America, by putting them out of his protection, and unjustly levying war against them … Be it therefore enacted by the council and house of representatives in general court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that [etc.].

1860.  Bartlett, Dict. Amer., Court, In New England this word is applied to a legislative body composed of a House of Representatives and a Senate; as the General Court of Massachusetts.

1875.  Jevons, Money (1878), 24. The Court of Massachusetts ordered, in 1649 [etc.].

1889.  Bryce, Amer. Commw., I. xxxvii. 414.

  16.  By some Friendly Societies, originally and particularly the Foresters, used as the name for a distinct local branch, corresponding to the ‘lodge,’ ‘tent,’ etc., of other Societies; also a meeting of such a branch, and of the central body (High Court).

  Adopted from the style of the Court of the Forest or FOREST-COURT; cf. the similar use of the terms Ranger, Woodward, etc.

1851.  C. Hardwick, Friendly Soc., 9. In January, 1850, the foresters consisted of 1553 courts (as they are named) comprising 80,089 members.

1886.  (title) Rules of Court ‘Loyal Oxonian’ No 2991, Branch of the Ancient Order of Foresters. Ibid., Rule 23. The Beadles … shall not admit into Court any but members of the Order.

1890.  Report Chief Regr. Friendly Soc., 31. The ‘Royal Order [of Foresters]’ by August 1834 had opened 358 courts…. In that year … a disruption took place, and the ‘Ancient Order’ was founded, drawing away to itself … 294 courts of the Royal Order. Ibid. The first ‘High Court meeting’ was held at Salford in that year [1835]. Ibid., 224. United Sisters Friendly Society, Suffolk Unity … Cambridge Court … Cowen Court … Loyal Clifford Court.

  V.  17. Homage such as is offered at court; attention or courtship shown to one whose favor, affection or interest is sought: in phr. to make or pay (one’s) court to [F. faire le cour, faire son cour à] = COURT v. 3, 4. (With quot. 1590, cf. ACCOURT.)

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., II. ix. 2. Him the Prince with gentle court did bord.

1667.  Evelyn, Mem. (1857), II. 24. I went to make court to the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle, at their house in Clerkenwell.

1676.  Dryden, Aureng-z., 8 (J.).

1712.  Arbuthnot, John Bull, II. iv. (1755), 32. All the servants in the Family made high court to her.

1716.  Lady M. W. Montague, Lett., 14 Sept. At supper … the men had the permission of paying their Court.

1748.  Richardson, Clarissa (1811), I. ii. 11. His court being rather made to her mother than to herself.

c. 1850.  Arab. Nts. (Rtldg.), 126. I went every day at certain hours to pay my court to the king.

1873.  Black, Pr. Thule, iv. 49. Forgetting all the court that should have been paid to a pretty woman.

1875.  M. Pattison, Casaubon, 29. Casaubon … had probably fallen in love with Estienne’s MSS. collections, before he began to pay his court to the daughter.

  † b.  ? Favor, influence. Obs.

1637.  Rutherford, Lett. (1862), I. 314. Let Christ’s love bear most court in your soul and that court will bear down the love of other things. Ibid., I. 351. I am in some piece of court with our great King.

  VI.  18. attrib. and Comb.: a. in sense ‘of or belonging to a royal court,’ as court-amo(u)r, -attendant, -ball, -beauty, -breeding, -bubble, -chaplain, -contempt, -ease, -faction, † -familiar, -fashion, -favo(u)r, favo(u)rite, -flatterer, † -frump, † -fucus, -intrigue, -lady, -life, -manners, -milliner, -mistress, -odo(u)r, -pageant, -poet, † -rook, -sermon, -trick, -wit, -word; court-bred, † -curious, -ridden adjs.

1598.  Barret, Theor. Warres, II. i. 23. Bestowing those charges vpon … Court-familiars and fauorites.

1601.  B. Jonson, Poetaster, IV. i. You must look to be envied, and endure a few court-frumps for it.

1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., IV. iv. 759. Receiues not thy Nose Court-Odour from me? Reflect I not on thy Basenesse Court-contempt? Ibid., 768. Aduocate’s the Court-word for a Pheazant.

a. 1625.  Fletcher, Elder Bro., IV. i. 2. You are … Shapes, shadows, and the signs of men; court-bubbles, That every breath or breaks or blows away.

1631.  Fuller, David’s Sin (1867), 235. Court-curious entertainment and fine fare.

1633.  Ford, Broken Hrt., II. ii. (1839), 56. This same whoreson court-ease is temptation To a rebellion in the veins.

1647.  R. Stapylton, Juvenal, 283. The great court favorite, Paris, sells The major’s place and colonel’s.

1649.  Milton, Eikon., Pref. While the king … washes over with a court-fucus the worst and foulest of his actions. Ibid., iv. By him only and his court faction. Ibid., vi. Certainly court-breeding and his perpetual conversation with flatterers was but a bad school. Ibid., viii. The quibbles of a court sermon.

a. 1654.  Bp. J. Richardson, Upon Old Test, (1655), 385 (T.). The Court-Ladies especially, that were faulty, as the men.

a. 1661.  Holyday, Juvenal, 69/2. A Court-rook, or one that by playing the Cogging jester, and so humouring a leud Emperour, was become a Noble man.

1667.  Milton, P. L., IV. 767. Not in the bought smile Of Harlots … nor in Court Amours.

1672.  Villiers (Dk. Buckhm.), Rehearsal (1714), 61. I’m sure Sir, I made your Cloaths in the Court-fashion.

1679.  J. Goodman, Penit. Pardoned, III. i. (1713), 275. What am I the better … for court-favour and countenance?

1682.  Dryden, Dk. of Guise, II. ii. Ha! Grillon here! some new court-trick upon me.

1683.  Temple, Mem., Wks. 1731, I. 408. He was by a Court-Intrigue recall’d to Madrid.

1697.  Dryden, Æneid, Ded. But was Ovid, the court-poet, so bad a courtier, as [etc.].

1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 57, ¶ 1. A Fine Court-Lady.

a. 1715.  Wycherley, Posth. Wks., 23 (Jod.). Common court-friends, like common court-mistresses, ruin those they profess to love, by their embraces and friendship.

1738.  Swift, Pol. Conversat., p. xxxiii. Who have been fully convinced, by an infamous Court-Chaplain, that there is no such place as Hell.

1760.  Goldsm., Cit. W., xciii. Court-bred poets.

1787.  Hawkins, Life Johnson, 273. The refinements of court-manners.

1818.  Scott, Hrt. Midl., xlviii. It was dangerous flattery … to tell a poor minister’s wife that she was like a court-beauty.

1836.  Prichard, Phys. Hist. Mankind (1851), I. 1. Some brilliant ceremony, or court-pageant.

1852.  Thackeray, Esmond, I. (1876), 2. I wonder shall History ever pull off her Periwig and cease to be court-ridden.

1888.  Miss Braddon, Fatal Three, I. I. i. 4. A woman, who afforded a Court milliner the very best possible scaffolding for expensive gowns.

  b.  in sense ‘of or belonging to a court of law,’ as † court-bar, -fee.

1571.  Golding, Calvin on Ps. xxxviii. 13. David borroweth not colored Rhetorik from the court-barre.

1822.  T. Mitchell, Aristoph., I. 92. And that same stock’s gone off in Court-fees And law gratuities.

  19.  Special combinations: court-almanac, an almanac or annual hand-book of royal families and their courts; † court-book (see quot.); † court-bowl, ? some form of the game of bowls (perhaps played in a court); † court-bread, bread of the finest quality; court-calendar = court-almanac; † court-chair, trans. of L. sella curūlis, curule chair; † court-chimney, ? a kind of small stove; court circular, a daily record of the doings of the Court, published in the newspapers; † court-compliment, an insincere compliment offered out of politeness; † court-cream, insincere flattery such as is used by courtiers; † court-cup (see quot. 1676); † court-dish (see quot.); † court-element, hollow flattery (cf. court-water); † court fagot, name of a kind of fagot; court-fold, ‘a farm-yard. Worc.’ (Halliw.); court-fool, -jester, a jester kept for the amusement of a prince and his court; † court-form, a form of process in the law courts (L. formula); court-guide, a directory (or section of a general directory) containing the names and addresses of the nobility, gentry, and people in ‘society’ (the theory being that it contains the names of all persons who have been presented at court); † court-hall, (a) the hall where the king holds his court; (b) a manor-house (cf. COURT-HOUSE); court-hill, a moot-hill, on which a court was held; † court-holder, one who holds or presides at a court; † court-jack, a kind of leather bottle or jug; cf. BLACK-JACK; † court-keeper, (a) = court-holder; (b) see quot. 1847; court-lands (see quot.); † court letter, the form of letter used in COURT-HAND; † court marshal, the marshal of a prince’s household (= G. Hofmarschall); hence court-marshaless, the wife of a court marshal; † court-martialist, a soldier belonging to the Court; court-mourning, a period of mourning observed at Court, ‘mourning’ worn at Court or with court-dress; † court nap (see quot.); court-newsman, a person appointed to furnish news of the doings of the Court; court-night, a night on which the sovereign held his court; court-paper, an official paper giving particulars of the business before a (legal) court; court-party, a political party that advocates the interests of the Court (cf. COUNTRY-PARTY); † court-passage: see PASSAGE (a game at dice); † court post, the court-officer who carried letters between the Court and the post-office; court-Scotch, the court-language of Scotland; court-suit, (a) a suit preferred at Court; (b) a suit worn at Court, court-dress; court-sword, a light sword worn as part of a man’s court-dress; † court-table (cf. COURT-CUPBOARD); † court-water (cf. COURT-HOLY-WATER).

1557.  Order of Hospitalls, F iv. You shall kepe a *Court-booke … whereinto you shall write all things passed in any Courte or otherwise.

1672.  Marvell, Reh. Transp., I. 60. One might shoot with the arbalet, or play at *Court-boule on Sundayes.

1616.  Surfl. & Markh., Country Farme, V. xx. 579. That which is called the finest bread, or *Court bread which is the lightest of all the rest.

1758.  Garrick, Male Coquette, I. (Jod.). There are quicker successions in your honour’s list than the *court-calendars.

1793.  Mad. D’Arblay, Lett., 29 Sept. If it had been an old court-calendar … he would have received it with his best bow and smile.

1618.  Bolton, Florus, IV. ii. 292. There the Senator stabd at him, as he sat in his *Court-chaire.

1592.  Greene, Upst. Courtier, in Harl. Misc., V. 414 (N.). They use … no fire, but a little *court chimnie in their owne chamber.

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, xl. Mr. Chuckster entertained them with theatrical chit-chat and the *court circular.

1848.  [see CIRCULAR B. 2].

1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., IX. vi. § 13. This was in some of them but a *Court-Complement.

a. 1657.  Sir J. Balfour, Ann. Scot. (1824–5), II. 180. With no more labor and expensse, then the cuning bestouing of soume *courte creame one the comons.

1592.  Nashe, P. Penilesse (N.). And yet I know a hundred … that will make a jolly shift with a *court-cup on their crownes, if the weather bee colde.

1676.  True Gentlew. Delight (N.). Let it dry in an ashen dish, otherwise called a court-cup … till it be dry, and it will be like a saucer.

a. 1655.  Bp. G. Goodman, Crt. James I., I. 311. The King then went to dinner and caused his carver to cut him out a *court-dish, that is, something of every dish, which he sent him, as part of his reversion.

1649.  Milton, Eikon., xvii. This intricate stuff tattled here of Timothy and Titus, and I know not whom their successors, far beyond *court element, and as far beneath true edification.

1523.  MS. Acc. St. John’s Hosp., Canterb., For makyng of x loodis of *Court fagot iijs. iiijd.

1789.  Walpoliana, cxi. 46. Our *Court-fools ceased with the reign of Charles I.

1858.  Doran, Crt. Fools, 22. The authors thus played the part of court fools by deputy.

1699.  T. C[ockman], Tully’s Offices (1706), 276. Aquillius … had not then publish’d his *Court-forms about Knavery.

1814.  Moore, Epigr., I. 309. ‘I want the *Court-Guide,’ said my Lady, ‘to look If the House, Seymour Place, be at 30 or 20.’

1837.  Thackeray, Ravenswing, i. Registered in Mr. Boyle’s ‘Court Guide.’

1552.  Huloet, *Courte hall, Basilica, Regia Aula.

1598.  Stow, Surv., xxxiii. (1603), 294. The name of Aldermans burie … there kept in their Bery or Court-hall.

1875.  W. M‘Ilwraith, Guide to Wigtownshire, 15. On the point of a tongue of land is an ancient *court-hill.

1540.  Act 32 Hen. VIII., c. 13 § 7. The steward or deputy-stuarde or *courtholder of the same leete or lawday.

1581.  Lambarde, Eiren., IV. v. (1588), 504. The Court-holders of such Leetes are bound to certifie the same.

1631.  Mabbe, Celestina, Ep. Ded. A iij. Like a *Court-Iack, which though it be blacke, yet holds as good liquor as your fairest Flagon of siluer.

1641.  W. Sheppard (title), The *Court Keepers’ Guide, for keeping of Courts Leet and Courts Baron.

1715.  G. Jacob (title), Complete Court Keeper; or Land Stewards Assistant.

1847–78.  Halliwell, Court-keeper, the master at a game of racket, or ball.

1848.  Wharton, Law Lex., *Court-lands, domains or lands kept in the lord’s hands to his family.

1690.  Lond. Gaz., No. 2612/4. The Young Clerk Compleated … with breaks off the *Court Letters, and 166 Words Abbreviated in Court Hand, and fairly written at length in Secretary.

1692.  Molesworth, Acct. Denmark (1694), 147. The *Court Mareschal invites whom he thinks fit to eat with the King.

1693.  Lond. Gaz., No. 2845/2. Next … the Grand-Marshal, and Court-Marshal with the Silver Staves of Office [at the Saxon Court].

1833.  S. Austin, Charact. Goethe, II. 76. Countess and Hofmarschallin (*court-marshaless) von E—.

1624.  Davenport, City Nt.-Cap, IV. Have I ruined so many city-citadels to let in *court-martialists, and shall this country-cottage hold out?

1791.  Boswell, Johnson (1848), 771/2. Goldsmith’s last comedy was to be represented during some *court-mourning.

1639.  Shirley, Gentl. of Venice, III. iv. We are cheated by a *court-nap [referring to an old officer of the court who is going to arrest them].

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., xxiii. (heading), Describes, far more fully than the *Court Newsman ever did, a bachelor’s party given by Mr. Bob Sawyer.

1863.  Illustr. Lond. News, 16 Jan. (Hoppe). The Queen has conferred the appointment of Court-newsman upon Mr. Thomas Beard.

1715.  Pope, Lett. to Congreve, 19 March. The three first nights (notwithstanding two of them were *court-nights) were distinguished by very full audiences of the first Quality.

1752.  J. Louthian, Form of Process (ed. 2), 193. The Clerk … should make a *Court-paper of the Day and Place of the Sessions, the Names of the Justices present, and of the Persons indicted.

1762.  Hume, Hist. Eng., VIII. lxviii. (Jod.). The *court party reasoned in an opposite manner.

1864.  W. H. Ainsworth, John Law, I. (1881), 8. This second plan, though supported by the court party … was rejected.

1743.  List Govt. Officers, in Chamberlayne, St. Gt. Brit., II. 80. *Court-Post, Dennis Bond, Esq.; at per Diem £2.

1766.  Entick, London, IV. 295. There is a court-post, who has 2l. a day.

1818.  Scott, Hrt. Midl., xlviii. She was educated in a convent abroad, and speaks that pure *court-Scotch, which was common in my younger days.

1632.  Brome, Crt. Begger, I. Wks. 1873, I. 187. Your ayme has bin to raise Your state by *Court-suits.

1831.  Carlyle, Sart. Res., III. vii. It was Tubalcain that made thy very Tailor’s needle, and sewed that court-suit of thine.

1629.  Inv. Househ. Goods (Trans. Essex Arch. Soc., New Ser. III. II. 167). i litle *Court Table … i Court Cubberd, Carved.

1616.  T. Adams, Disc. Sovle, xviii. 67. The Flatterer is after the nature of a Barber; and first trimmes the head of his masters humour, and then sprinkles it with *Court-water.