course
Pronunciation: (kôrs, kōrs), [key]
— n., v., coursed, cours•ing.
—n.
- a direction or route taken or to be taken.
- the path, route, or channel along which anything moves: the course of a stream.
- advance or progression in a particular direction; forward or onward movement.
- the continuous passage or progress through time or a succession of stages: in the course of a year; in the course of the battle.
- the track, ground, water, etc., on which a race is run, sailed, etc.: One runner fell halfway around the course.
- a particular manner of proceeding: a course of action.
- a customary manner of procedure; regular or natural order of events: as a matter of course; the course of a disease.
- a mode of conduct; behavior.
- a systematized or prescribed series: a course of lectures; a course of medical treatments.
- a program of instruction, as in a college or university: a course in economics.
- a prescribed number of instruction periods or classes in a particular field of study.
- a part of a meal served at one time: The main course was roast chicken with mashed potatoes and peas.
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- the line along the earth's surface upon or over which a vessel, an aircraft, etc., proceeds: described by its bearing with relation to true or magnetic north.
- a point of the compass.
- the lowermost sail on a fully square-rigged mast: designated by a special name, as foresail or mainsail, or by the designation of the mast itself, as fore course or main course. See diag. under
- a continuous and usually horizontal range of bricks, shingles, etc., as in a wall or roof.
- one of the pairs of strings on an instrument of the lute family, tuned in unison or in octaves to increase the volume.
- the row of stitches going across from side to side in knitting and other needlework (opposed to wale).
- Often,the menses.
- a charge by knights in a tournament.
- a pursuit of game with dogs by sight rather than by scent.
- See
- a race.
- in the proper or natural order of events; eventually: They will get their comeuppance in due course.
- Of course I'll come to the party.
- certainly; definitely:Of course I'll come to the party.
- in the usual or natural order of things:Extra services are charged for, of course.
—v.t.
- to run through or over.
- to chase; pursue.
- to hunt (game) with dogs by sight rather than by scent.
- to cause (dogs) to pursue game by sight rather than by scent.
- to lay (bricks, stones, etc.) in courses.
—v.i.
- to follow a course; direct one's course.
- to run, race, or move swiftly: The blood of ancient emperors courses through his veins.
- to take part in a hunt with hounds, a tilting match, etc.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.