curvet
Americannoun
verb (used without object)
-
to leap in a curvet, as a horse; cause one's horse to do this.
-
to leap and frisk.
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
-
dressage to make or cause to make such a leap
-
(intr) to prance or frisk about
Etymology
Origin of curvet
1565–75; earlier curvetto < Italian corvetta < French courbette, equivalent to courb(er) to bend, curve (≪ Latin curvāre; cf. curve) + -ette -ette ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Elizabeth's Winston, pestered by a swarm of thunder flies, began to curvet alarmingly.
From Time Magazine Archive
Tigers walk treadmills, horses curvet superbly and Harry Rittely sits atop seven tables and topples over backwards.
From Time Magazine Archive
No sooner does the mare hear those words than she begins to dance and curvet, showing in every possible way her anxiety to start and her sense of the importance of her duties.
From The Bristol Royal Mail Post, Telegraph, and Telephone by Robert Charles Tombs
On his way thither, he witched the world of Nismes with his noble horsemanship, making his charger bound and prance and curvet, greatly to the delight of the immense crowd that followed him.
From The Huguenots in France by Samuel Smiles
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 The Frontier Fort Stirring Times in the N-West Territory of British America by D. H. Friston
"You bet!" responded the girl actor, as she curveted down toward the factory in response to the whistle calling them back to their work.
From The Leaven in a Great City by Lillian William Betts
All that afternoon the two boys curveted over the surrounding scenery,—careful to keep their distance from the whirlwind of fire-heated air, for they were flying low.
From Unexplored! by Allen Chaffee
It pranced and curveted and showed much spirit.
From Legends of The Kaw The Folk-Lore of the Indians of the Kansas River Valley by Carrie de Voe
She looked up, and with surprise lighting her dark-blue eyes, beheld a gentleman mounted on a fine black Arabian courser, that curveted gracefully and capriciously before the cottage gate.
From The Missing Bride by Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth
The birds that had settled upon the field rose again at the return of the horses, and curveted in a long fluttering line above their heads.
From A Dozen Ways Of Love by Lily Dougall
At this marvel he stared in that silence which is the highest power of joy: a presentiment had been his that such a horse, curveting on blue rockers, would be found on this very morning.
From The Seeker by Harry Leon Wilson
A new and strange paralysis of all his emotions seemed to have crept over Durkin, as he watched the cab door slammed shut and the horses go plunging and curveting out through the crowd.
From Phantom Wires A Novel by Arthur William Brown
Something undoubtedly was curveting and prancing before the door; something with a white flowing tail.
From Verner's Pride by Mrs. Henry Wood
Let me read it for you, dear Tanty, the picture hangs a little high and those curveting letters are hard to decipher.
From The Light of Scarthey by Egerton Castle
Cancut navigated Birch through some white water below the dam, and Birch went curveting proudly and gracefully along, evidently feeling his oats.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 10, No. 62, December, 1862 by Various
Over Dayton, Ohio, last week curvetted three new little airplanes, undergoing rigorous U. S. Army Air Corps tests in its present search for an advanced type training plane.
From Time Magazine Archive
At Sundra Straits, he curvetted over the mountains and jungles of Sumbawa, Dutch island.
From Time Magazine Archive
Twenty feet above Aslan and Digory he snorted, neighed, and curvetted.
From "The Magician's Nephew" by C. S. Lewis
The hat, like a live thing with the devil in it, bounded and curvetted wildly, doubled away from Dale, dodged Rachel, and sprang right over Norah's head, threatening to make for the open sea.
From The Devil's Garden by W. B. Maxwell
Domino curvetted and pranced a little, being still full of mettle and spirits; but a very firm hand held him in.
From The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon or The Hermit of the Cave by James Carson
Alfredo, made his pony caper and look hard to ride, curvetting, sidling, closer and closer.
From Time Magazine Archive
The horses can smell the tiger scent and begin neighing and curvetting, trying to get away from it.
From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks
The young trooper stood one instant looking gratefully after his officer and those curvetting steeds, eager to reach their home and supper.
From Lanier of the Cavalry or, A Week's Arrest by Charles King
Teresina also arose before my imagination curvetting on her proud steed with the lute in her hands, like Art herself disguised in romance.
From Weird Tales. Vol. I by E. T. A. (Ernst Theodor Amadeus) Hoffmann
It was a stirring scene of meeting, and chatting, and laughing, and rearing, and curvetting, and fresh air, and sunshine.
From The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne
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