Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A movement in dressage in which the horse makes a series of jumps on the hind legs with the forelegs in the air.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Borrowing from French courbette.

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Examples

  • J'ai quand meme remercier les quatres avec une courbette et un beau sourire colgate avant de descendre du podium et la j'ai eu un mini sourire Buchiesque!

    pinku-tk Diary Entry pinku-tk 2006

  • Et que j'te sors un beau sourire, une belle courbette sans te quitter des yeux ...

    pinku-tk Diary Entry pinku-tk 2006

  • “Dog!” said the Templar, grinding his teeth, “I will teach thee to blaspheme the holy Order of the Temple of Zion;” and with these words, half-wheeling his steed, he made a demi-courbette towards the Saxon, and rising in the stirrups, so as to take full advantage of the descent of the horse, he discharged a fearful blow upon the head of Athelstane.

    Ivanhoe 2004

  • "Dog!" said the Templar, grinding his teeth, "I will teach thee to blaspheme the holy order of the Temple of Zion;" and with these words, half-wheeling his steed, he made a demi-courbette toward the Saxon, and rising in the stirrups, so as to take full advantage of the descent of the horse, he discharged a fearful blow upon the head of Athelstane.

    Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 4 Charles Herbert Sylvester

  • ` ` I will teach thee to blaspheme the holy Order of the Temple of Zion; '' and with these words, half-wheeling his steed, he made a demi-courbette towards the Saxon, and rising in the stirrups, so as to take full advantage of the descent of the horse, he discharged a fearful blow upon the head of Athelstane.

    Ivanhoe 1892

  • If both indications are continued and increased, the horse will _piaff_, that is, continue collected, in motion, without progressing, or he will make the courbette or terre à terre or rear.

    Hints on Horsemanship, to a Nephew and Niece or, Common Sense and Common Errors in Common Riding George Greenwood 1837

  • Sir Geoffrey closed with him instantly, seized him by the collar, and spurred Black Hastings, checking him at the same time, so that the horse made a courbette, and brought the full weight of his chest against the counter of the other.

    Peveril of the Peak 1822

  • "Dog!" said the Templar, grinding his teeth, "I will teach thee to blaspheme the holy Order of the Temple of Zion;" and with these words, half-wheeling his steed, he made a demi-courbette towards the Saxon, and rising in the stirrups, so as to take full advantage of the descent of the horse, he discharged a fearful blow upon the head of Athelstane.

    Ivanhoe. A Romance 1819

  • "Dog!" said the Templar, grinding his teeth, "I will teach thee to blaspheme the holy Order of the Temple of Zion;" and with these words, half-wheeling his steed, he made a demi-courbette towards the Saxon, and rising in the stirrups, so as to take full advantage of the descent of the horse, he discharged a fearful blow upon the head of Athelstane.

    Ivanhoe Walter Scott 1801

  • Sir Geoffrey closed with him instantly, seized him by the collar, and spurred Black Hastings, checking him at the same time, so that the horse made a courbette, and brought the full weight of his chest against the counter of the other.

    Peveril of the Peak Walter Scott 1801

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