sport

sport [spôrt]

n.

[ME sporte, aphetic for DISPORT]

1. any activity or experience that gives enjoyment or recreation; pastime; diversion

2. such an activity, esp. when competitive, requiring more or less vigorous bodily exertion and carried on, sometimes as a profession, according to some traditional form or set of rules, whether outdoors, as football, golf, etc., or indoors, as basketball, bowling, etc.

3. fun or play

4.

a) an object of ridicule; laughingstock

b) a thing or person buffeted about, as though a plaything

☆ 5. Informal a gambler

6. Informal

a) a person who is sportsmanlike, easygoing, or companionable [be a sport!]

b) a person judged according to his ability to take loss, defeat, teasing, etc. [a good (or poor) sport ]

☆ 7. Informal a pleasure-loving, showy person; flashy fellow

8. Obs. amorous trifling or sexual play

9. Biol. a plant or animal showing some marked variation from the normal type, usually as a result of mutation

vt.

1. Informal to wear or display, esp. with unnecessary show [to sport a loud tie]

2. Obs. to amuse (oneself, etc.)

vi.

1. to play or frolic

2. to engage in a sport or sports

3.

a) to joke or jest

b) to trifle, dally, or play (with)

c) to mock or ridicule someone or something

4. Biol. to vary markedly from the normal type; mutate

adj.

1. SPORTING (sense 1)

2. suitable for informal, casual wear; not dressy [a sport coat]

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in sport or for sport

in joke or jest; not in earnest

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make sport of

to mock or ridicule; poke fun at

sporter

n.

sportful

adj.

sportfully

adv.