courtiser

to court, to woo

verb koor-tee-ZEH Rare

Usage Note

Courtiser means to court or woo someone romantically, and also figuratively to flatter or curry favour with a powerful person. The related noun courtisan (courtier) originally referred to someone who frequented a royal court and sought favour. Courtiser le pouvoir means 'to cozy up to power'.

Examples

"Il la courtisait depuis plusieurs semaines."

Natural Translation

He had been courting her for several weeks.

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