The New International Encyclopædia/Court (royal)

COURT. A name originally applied to the square or space inclosed by the buildings of a feudal castle. In time it came to denote the persons immediately surrounding a feudal chief or superior. Its application is now confined to the residence and surroundings of sovereign princes, together with such persons of distinction as are in the habit of approaching the monarch and of associating with the other members of the royal family, both in a public and a private capacity.