disport

present singular third person disports · participle present disporting · participle past disported · past disported · first person past singular disported · archaic present second person singular disportest · past second person singular disported · archaic past second person singular disportedst · present singular third person disports · archaic present singular third person disporteth · past singular third person disported · past plural disported · past subjunctive disported · participle present disporting · participle past disported

1. ambitransitivedatedreflexiveTo amuse oneself divertingly or playfully; in particular, to cavort or gambol.

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

   1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 3, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC

   5 more examples

   Afterward, as appeareth by Euſtachius, there was ſome Greekes diſported themſelues herein, as he which turned Atlas for his heauie burthen in ſupporting Heauen, to Talas, that is, Wretched; Arete, Vertue, into Erate, that is, Louely; Ilaros, Merrie, into Liaros, that is, warme.

   1629, M. N. [pseudonym; William Camden], “Anagrams”, in Remaines Concerning Brittaine: But Especially England, and the Inhabitants thereof: […], 4th edition, London: Printed by A[dam] I[slip] for Symon Waterson, […], →OCLC, page 145

   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?

   1644 January 27, Thomas Jackson, quoting Daniel Taylor, chapter III, in The Life of John Goodwin, […], 2nd greatly improved edition, London: Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer, published 1872, →OCLC, page 77

   He ſummons ſtrait his Denizens of air; / The lucid ſquadrons round the ſails repair: / [...] / Looſe to the wind their airy garments flew, / Thin glitt'ring textures of the filmy dew; / Dipt in the richeſt tincture of the skies, / Where light diſports in ever-mingling dies, [...]

   1714, Alexander Pope, “The Rape of the Lock”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintot, […], published 1717, →OCLC, canto II, page 133

   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.

   1812, Lord Byron, “Canto I”, in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. A Romaunt, London: […] [F]or John Murray, […]; William Blackwood, Edinburgh; and John Cumming, Dublin; by Thomas Davison, […], →OCLC, stanza IV, page 5

   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; [...]

   1838, Martin Farquhar Tupper, “Of Rest”, in Proverbial Philosophy: A Book of Thoughts and Arguments, Originally Treated, London: Joseph Rickerby, […], →OCLC, stanza 1, page 57

   Synonyms: cheer, divert, enjoy, frolic

plural disports

1. archaiccountableAnything which diverts one from serious matters; a game, a pastime, a sport.

   1 more example

   It hath beene very frequent with the Kings of England, France, and other Princes, for triall of their man hood, to runne at Iouſts, and fight at Barriers, not onely with forraigners, but with their owne valianteſt Lords and Knights, of which there are various Examples. In theſe Martiall diſports, by the very Law of Armes, theſe Subjects have not onely defended themſelves againſt their kings aſſaults and blowes; but retorted lance for lance, ſtroke for ſtroke, and ſometimes unhorſed, diſarmed, and wounded their Kings, […]

   1643, William Prynne, “Proving 1ˢᵗ. that the Parliaments Present Necessary Defensive Warre, is Iust and Lawfull both in Point of Law and Conscience, and No Treason nor Rebellion”, in The Soveraigne Povver of Parliaments and Kingdomes: Divided into Fovre Parts. Together with an Appendix: […], printed at London: For Michael Sparke Senior, →OCLC, page 14

2. archaicuncountableAmusement, entertainment, recreation, relaxation.

   And whether they were a bedde or at other maner of disportes me lyst not herof make no mencyon for loue that tyme was not as is now adayes. "And whether they were abed or at other manner of disports, me list not hereof make no mention, for love that time was not as is now-a-days."

   1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur Book XX, Chapter iii, leaf 400v

3. countableobsoleteThe way one carries oneself; bearing, carriage, deportment.

   [Y]et have I carried myſelf towards thee in ſuch fanciful guiſe of careleſs diſport, that right ſore am I aſhamed now to entreat thy lenity ſeriouſly— […]

   1761, [Laurence Sterne], chapter XXII, in The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, volume IV, London: […] R[obert] and J[ames] Dodsley […], →OCLC, page 143

4. countableobsoleteBearing, elevation, orientation.

   ... shooting a bullet ... out of a Culverin towards the East, and afterwards another, with the same charge, and at the same elevation or disport towards the West.

   1662, Thomas Salusbury, Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief Systems of the World (Dialogue Two)

5. obsoleteuncountableFun, gaiety, joy, merriment, mirth.