Disport

Quick meaning: Disport is a verb meaning (ambitransitive, reflexive, dated) To amuse oneself divertingly or playfully; in particular, to cavort or gambol.

Meaning

(ambitransitive, reflexive, dated) To amuse oneself divertingly or playfully; in particular, to cavort or gambol.

More Meanings

1. (countable, archaic) Anything which diverts one from serious matters; a game, a pastime, a sport.
2. (uncountable, archaic) Amusement, entertainment, recreation, relaxation.
3. (countable, obsolete) The way one carries oneself; bearing, carriage, deportment.
4. (countable, obsolete) Bearing, elevation, orientation.
5. (uncountable, obsolete) Fun, gaiety, joy, merriment, mirth.

Example Sentences

What generous, ardent, imaginative soul has not a secret pleasure-place in which it disports?

In the silent watches of the night, calm night that breedeth thoughts, / When the task-weary mind disporteth in the careless play-hours of sleep, / I dreamed; [...]

Childe Harold bask'd him in the noon-tide sun, / Disporting there like any other fly; / Nor deem'd before his little day was done / One blast might chill him into misery.

For my part, I love not to disport myself at the weakness of any man, or to turn his folly into laughter: for what were this, but to reflect dishonour upon the same nature, wherein he partakes with myself?

Word Forms

• disports
• disporting
• disported
• disportest
• disportedst
• disporteth

Synonyms for disport

Depending on context, synonyms include cheer, divert, enjoy, frolic, cavort, romp.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include frolic, gambol, rollick, cavort, amuse, romp.

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