0 past simple and past participle of court
1 to try to please someone because you want them to join you:
2 to try to get something, especially attention or support from other people:
She courts publicity by inviting journalists to extravagant parties.
3 to risk something unpleasant, especially by behaving stupidly or carelessly:
4 to have a romantic relationship with someone that you hope to marry:
Private and especially corporate sponsors might be courted, and once a sponsor is found, the corporation's products would be advertised in a well-publicised exhibition.
I don't remember a single person of my acquaintance being courted with flowers or chocolates.
She is then courted by a powerful and well-placed man.
Each attempt between the wars had courted unrest and unpopularity, with debates peppered with emotion and passionate language.
In the laboratory, infected males readily built nests, developed red nuptial coloration, and courted females.
As a significant source of potential votes for an insurgent candidacy, a nascent movement is likely to be recognized and even courted by partisans.
Under laboratory conditions the parasite did not prevent reproduction whereas few infected males courted females in the field.
Their support was not needed, and therefore they were not courted.
