(of a king or other high-ranking aristocrat) To preside in a formal manner over an official assembly of courtiers and others in which entertainment is presented or affairs of state are considered.

plural of courtesy name

(military) A court-martial held in the field to hear urgent charges of offences committed in action.

(construction) A layer in a wall, foundation etc. which prevents moisture spreading into interior areas.

simple past tense and past participle of court-martial

present participle of court-martial

(often humorous) A flush (cleansing of the toilet) in the middle of a sitting, intended to reduce an unpleasant smell.

plural of contempt of court

To go beyond what courtesy requires; to insist somewhat too much upon the precedence of others.

A usually symbolic formal meeting in which a diplomat or representative of a state pays a visit out of courtesy to a head of state or state office holder.