Definition of "disport"
disport
verb
third-person singular simple present disports, present participle disporting, simple past and past participle disported
(transitive, intransitive, reflexive, dated) To amuse oneself divertingly or playfully; in particular, to cavort or gambol.
Quotations
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. , 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, 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, 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: Printed for John Murray, […]; William Blackwood, Edinburgh; and John Cumming, Dublin; by Thomas Davison, […], 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, […], stanza 1, page 57
[B]eautiful bays, where the transparent waves leap one after another on the sand, leaving behind them wreaths of foam, or playfully clasp the pointed rocks, like beautiful sea-nymphs disporting themselves in the joyous sunlight; [...]
1855, Frederick Lawrence, “Mont Orgueil Castle and William Prynne”, in [Anna Maria Hall], editor, Sharpe’s London Magazine of Entertainment and Instruction, for General Reading, volume VI (New Series), London: Published for the proprietor, by Virtue, Hall, and Virtue, […], page 160
[T]he political activity which produced the rebellion against the Stuarts, saved the Scotch mind from stagnating, [...] When the contest was ended, and peace was restored, the faculties which, for three generations, had been exercised in resisting the executive authority, sought other employment, and found another field in which they could disport themselves. Hence it was, that the boldness which, in the seventeenth century, was practical, became, in the eighteenth century, speculative, and produced a literature, which attempted to unsettle former opinions, and to disturb the ancient landmarks of the human mind.
1861, Henry Thomas Buckle, “An Examination of the Scotch Intellect during the Eighteenth Century”, in History of Civilization in England, volume II, London: Parker, Son, and Bourn, […], page 410
noun
plural disports
(countable, archaic) Anything which diverts one from serious matters; a game, a pastime, a sport.
Quotations
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, page 14
(uncountable, archaic) Amusement, entertainment, recreation, relaxation.
Quotations
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
(countable, obsolete) The way one carries oneself; bearing, carriage, deportment.
Quotations
[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 […], page 143
(countable, obsolete) Bearing, elevation, orientation.