curvet

[ noun kur-vit; verb ker-vet, kur-vit ]

noun

1. Dressage. a leap of a horse from a rearing position, in which it springs up with the hind legs outstretched as the forelegs descend.

verb (used without object)

, cur·vet·ted or cur·vet·ed, cur·vet·ting or cur·vet·ing.

1. to leap in a curvet, as a horse; cause one's horse to do this.
2. to leap and frisk.

verb (used with object)

, cur·vet·ted or cur·vet·ed, cur·vet·ting or cur·vet·ing.

1. to cause to make a curvet.

curvet

/ kɜːˈvɛt /

noun

1. dressage a low leap with all four feet off the ground

verb

1. dressage to make or cause to make such a leap
2. intr to prance or frisk about

Word History and Origins

Origin of curvet¹

1565–75; earlier curvetto < Italian corvetta < French courbette, equivalent to courb(er) to bend, curve (≪ Latin curvāre; curve ) + -ette -ette ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of curvet¹

C16: from Old Italian corvetta, from Old French courbette, from courber to bend, from Latin curvāre

Example Sentences

You never know when a squirrel will curvet from the fence to the shed and then acrobatically vault to a nearby tree branch.

From Fox News

The brittle label read Kentucky’s Finest Bourbon Whiskey and showed a picture of a curvetting thoroughbred.

From Literature

The horses can smell the tiger scent and begin neighing and curvetting, trying to get away from it.

From Literature

"Have you seen them, grandpapa?" she asked, curvetting round him, as he proceeded at gentle pace across the lawn.

From Project Gutenberg

The horses of his body-guard began to paw and curvet to free their feet as the loose reins tightened on their necks.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bounce
• bound
• dive
• drop
• fall
• hop
• plummet
• skip
• surge
• take
• top
• vault