Cōurt'shĭp, n.
n. 1. The act of soliciting favor.
He paid his courtship with the crowd As far as modest pride allowed. Swift.
Sense 2. The act of wooing in love; solicitation of a woman to marriage.
There is something excessively fair and open in this method of courtship; by this both sides are prepared for all the matrimonial adventures that are to follow. Goldsmith.
Sense 3. Courtliness; elegance of manners; courtesy.
Sense 4. Court policy; the character of a courtier; artifice of a court; court-craft; finesse. [Obs.]
Sir, but allow me Only to have read the elements of courtship, Not the abstruse and hidden arts to thrive there. Massinger.
Indeed, all as yet were confident that the queen would maintain the Protestant religion, according to her solemn promise to the gentry of Norfolk and Suffolk, though, she being composed of courtship and popery, this her unperformed promise was the first court holy water which she sprinkled among the people. Fuller.