Literary notes about Cavort (AI summary)
The term cavort is wielded in literature to evoke a vivid sense of uninhibited, exuberant movement, whether it be a wild dance, playful prancing, or even a more theatrical display of energy. Authors use it to describe both human and animal behavior that borders on the spirited and unrestrained—as when a character performs a semi-barbarous dance marked by primitive gestures [1] or when horses caper across landscapes with effortless, jubilant bounds [2]. In some contexts, cavort carries a humorous tone that underscores a deviation from conventional decorum, capturing moments of lighthearted revelry and mischievous abandon [3, 4]. At times, its employment extends into metaphorical terrain, imbuing narratives with an atmosphere of both fantasy and riotous celebration, as seen when individuals are encouraged to cavort in moments of spontaneous fervor [5].
- He had begun to cavort about the room in a semi-barbarous dance, clapping his hands and making a purring sort of growl in his throat.
— from Sunlight Patch by Credo Fitch Harris - His horse could cavort beautifully under persuasion.
— from The Coming of Cassidy—And the Others by Clarence Edward Mulford - Then these two began to salaam one another, and mouth out fool phrases, and cavort and prance and caracole, until I thought them mad.
— from The O'Ruddy: A Romance by Stephen Crane - We'll sing, we'll dance, we'll cavort beneath the window, and help to while the dreary hours away."
— from The Net by Rex Beach - I want you to get me into the Castle grounds to-day and show me where the duchesses dawdle and the countesses cavort.
— from Truxton King: A Story of Graustark by George Barr McCutcheon
