curvet

[kur-vit, 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)

curvetted, curveted, curvetting, curveting. 

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)

curvetted, curveted, curvetting, curveting. 

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.

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

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

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

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

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Related Words

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