6. (Bot. & Zoöl.)
Defn: A plant or an animal, or part of a plant or animal, which has some peculiarity not usually seen in the species; an abnormal variety or growth. See Sporting plant, under Sporting.
7. A sportsman; a gambler. [Slang] In sport, in jest; for play or diversion. "So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport" Prov. xxvi. 19.
Syn.
— Play; game; diversion; frolic; mirth; mock; mockery; jeer.
SPORT
Sport, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sported; p. pr. & vb. n. Sporting.]
1. To play; to frolic; to wanton. [Fish], sporting with quick glance, Show to the sun their waved coats dropt with gold. Milton.
2. To practice the diversions of the field or the turf; to be given to betting, as upon races.
3. To trifle. "He sports with his own life." Tillotson.
4. (Bot. & Zoöl.)
Defn: To assume suddenly a new and different character from the rest of the plant or from the type of the species; — said of a bud, shoot, plant, or animal. See Sport, n., 6. Darwin.