IPA: /ˈkɜːrvɛt/
KK: /ˈkɜrvɪt/
To leap or jump in a playful or lively manner, often used to describe the movement of a horse or similar animal.
The horse began to curvet joyfully in the field.
Past: curveted
Past Participle: curveted
Curvet comes from the French word 'curvette', which is a diminutive form of 'courbe' (meaning curve). The term originally referred to a small curve or leap made by a horse, particularly in a playful or elegant manner.
Imagine a horse making a small 'curve' ('courbe') in its movement — that's how you can remember that 'curvet' refers to a playful leap or curve.