Courtship

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The act of paying court, with the intent to solicit a favor. Swift.

2. The act of wooing in love; solicitation of woman to marriage. This method of courtship, [by which] both sides are prepared for all the matrimonial adventures that are to follow. Goldsmith.

3. Courtliness; elegance of manners; courtesy. [Obs.] Trim gallants, full of courtship and of state. Shak.

4. Court policy; the character of a courtier; artifice of a court; court-craft; finesse. [Obs.] She [the Queen] being composed of courtship and Popery. Fuller.