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Cavort Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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cavort

[kəˈvɔrt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

playful jumping

To cavort means to jump or dance around exuberantly. This term typically conveys a sense of playfulness and energy. It is often used to describe lively movements that are carefree and spirited. The word can also imply frolicking or prancing about, usually in a joyful manner.

Synonyms

dance, frolic, gambol, prance, skip.

Examples of usage

  • The children cavorted in the yard.
  • The dogs cavorted on the beach.
  • At the festival, everyone began to cavort with joy.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Cavorting appears in classic literature, often to depict scenes of lightheartedness or joy.
  • Shakespeare used similar words to convey merriment and carefree behavior in his comedies.
  • Modern novels may use cavort to show characters breaking free from their troubles.

Pop Culture

  • In dance music videos, people often cavort to the rhythm, showing carefree joy and excitement.
  • Certain movies depict characters cavorting during scenes of celebration or victory, evoking a sense of freedom.
  • Popular social media trends often feature users cavorting in unique and playful challenges.

Psychology

  • Engaging in playful activities like cavorting can significantly improve mood and overall mental health.
  • Children who cavort freely develop better social skills and creativity as they learn to express joy.
  • Psychologists observe that adult play, including cavorting, can reduce stress and enhance well-being.

History

  • Historically, festivals often included communal dancing and cavorting as a way to foster community spirit.
  • In some cultures, traditional celebrations involve people cavorting to symbolize abundance and joy.
  • Cavorting was seen as a form of social bonding, where community members could temporarily escape their daily struggles.

Origin of 'cavort'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the French 'cavorter', which means to hop or caper.
  • It originally described playful movements of animals but evolved to describe humans having fun.
  • Related to the Italian 'cavortire', sharing the idea of lively movement.

The word 'cavort' comes from the early 19th century, derived from the dialectal word 'cavort', which meant to leap or dance. Its origins can be traced back to the earlier definition of 'cavort' in the English language, which conveyed a sense of leaping or bounding, reminiscent of the energetic movements of both humans and animals. The term likely has connections to the French word 'cavorter', meaning to caper or frolic, which also signifies lively and playful behavior. Over time, 'cavort' has maintained its association with joyfulness and exuberance, evolving in its usage to capture the spirit of merriment in various contexts. The lively connotation of the word has made it a descriptive choice for expressing a carefree attitude and vibrant activities.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,321, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.