0 an area of flat ground outside that is partly or completely surrounded by the walls of a building
1 an area of flat ground outside and partly or completely surrounded by one or more buildings:
A loud noise of feet and voices came pouring into the courtyard.
The firing had ceased and the courtyard was curiously still and empty.
The only thing she did not like was the courtyard's dampness.
The stone pavement of the spacious courtyard was in some places partly covered with moss, and a few weeds had sprung up in the corners, and along the edges by the walls.
Within half an hour we passed under a stone archway and found ourselves snug in the haven of our merchant's courtyard.
Numerous semi-public courtyards are also located along the southern, eastern and western walls of this palace.
Numerous courtyards as well as major and minor dividing walls are again clear throughout this palace.
Each house was designed to have two rooms (12 feet by 10 feet), a cooking verandah (8 feet by 10) and a common courtyard.
