noun. An open space surrounded by walls or buildings, adjoining or within a building such as a large house or housing complex.

noun. A court or an inclosure about a house or adjacent to it.

noun. A court or inclosure attached to a house.

noun. an area, open to the sky, partially or wholly surrounded by walls or buildings

noun. an area wholly or partly surrounded by walls or buildings

"José went off to the mules, and Bertie descended the ladder, and strolled round what they called the courtyard, looking for eggs among the rocks and in the tufts of grass growing higher up."