disport

verb

1. (ambitransitive, dated, reflexive)To amuse oneself divertingly or playfully; in particular, to cavort or gambol.

   “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.”

   “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?”

   “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, [...]”

   “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.”

   “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; [...]”

noun

1. (archaic, countable)Anything which diverts one from serious matters; a game, a pastime, a sport.
2. (archaic, uncountable)Amusement, entertainment, recreation, relaxation.

   “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."”

3. (countable, obsolete)The way one carries oneself; bearing, carriage, deportment.

   “[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— […]”

4. (countable, obsolete)Bearing, elevation, orientation.

   “... shooting a bullet ... out of a Culverin towards the East, and afterwards another, with the same charge, and at the same elevation or disport towards the West.”

5. (obsolete, uncountable)Fun, gaiety, joy, merriment, mirth.