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

With one bound he was in the saddle, made his horse curvet, and hid himself behind the enormous stem of the mahogany tree.

From Project Gutenberg

By so doing, the mouth of the horse receives a jerk which seldom fails to make it rear and curvet from side to side.

From Project Gutenberg

I knew that he made the pony curvet because I liked it; and presently my grandmother discovered that and took me away.

From Project Gutenberg

When the local was still far behind she would begin to curvet and take the bit between her teeth.

From Project Gutenberg

At this the hector sprang to his feet and mounted his grey charger, which he caused to prance and curvet across the field.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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