curvet Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a light leap by a horse in which both hind legs leave the ground before the forelegs come down
    vaulting.
  2. verb perform a leap where both hind legs come off the ground, of a horse

WordNet

Cur"vet noun
Etymology
OE. corvet, It.corvetta: cf. F. courbette. See Curve, and cf. Corvetto.
Definitions
  1. (Man.) A particular leap of a horse, when he raises both his fore legs at once, equally advanced, and, as his fore legs are falling, raises his hind legs, so that all his legs are in the air at once.
  2. A prank; a frolic.
Cur"vet intransitive verb
Etymology
Cf. It. corvettare. See Curvet, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Curveted or -vetted; present participle & verbal noun Curveting or -vetting
Definitions
  1. To make a curvet; to leap; to bound.
    'Oft and high he did curvet." Drayton.
  2. To leap and frisk; to frolic. Shak.
Cur"vet transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cause to curvet. Landor.

Webster 1913