courtship

Universal Words noun 1 [C,U] (old-fashioned) the time when two people have a romantic relationship before they get married; the process of developing this relationship: They married after a short courtship. * Mr Elton's courtship of Harriet 2 [U] the special way animals behave in order to attract a MATE for producing young animals: courtship displays 3 ~ (of sb/sth) (written) the process or act of attracting a business partner, etc: the company's courtship by the government