sportedadj.
/ˈspɔːtᵻd/, U.S. /ˈspɔrdəd/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > [adjective] > used for amusement
sported1687
society > leisure > entertainment > mere amusement > [adjective]
sportful1609
sportive1616
sported1687
1687 Spencer Redivivus xi. 206 When earth they strive to shoulder from her seat, Or as the blustring Breed of Aeolus threat To toss Earth's Globe like to a sported Ball.
2. Originally and chiefly British University slang. Of a door: closed, shut (as a sign that the occupant of the room does not wish to be disturbed). Frequently in sported oak. Cf. sport v. 14.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > [adjective] > closed or shut > closed specifically of doors or gates
yclyketed1393
folden1435
latchedc1440
sported1792
1792 Literary & Biogr. Mag. & Brit. Rev. May 384/2 Assembling duns the sported oak surround, And useless plate lies rotting on the stairs.
1854 New Monthly Mag. May 61 Boating engagements at Mother Davies's;—dunning blockades against the ‘sported oak’;—scuffles with proctors and bull-dogs;—a duel in the meadows, and a lodgment in the Castle;—such are some of the topics ungrudgingly set forth in Reginald's Oxford career.
1887 A. Jessopp Arcady 171 Outside the ‘sported door’ of some college magnate.
1947 E. Meynell Portrait of W. Morris i. 23 Their kindred interests, their kindred careers—both intending to enter the Church—locked and bolted the door on outsiders. Behind that spiritually sported oak they read and they talked continuously.
2005 Times (Nexis) 26 Dec. 67 After I tapped on the sported oak, S-B [sc. Prof. Shackleton Bailey] flung open the door dramatically and shouted: ‘What the hell are you doing here?’
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1687