kɔ:s n. & v. --n. 1 a
continuous onward movement or
progression. 2 a a line
along which a
person or
thing moves; a
direction taken (has changed course;
the course of the
winding river). b a
correct or
intended direction or line of movement. c the direction taken by a
ship or
aircraft. 3 a the ground on which a race (or
other sport involving
extensive linear movement) takes
place. b a
series of fences, hurdles, or other obstacles to be crossed in a race etc. 4 a a series of lectures, lessons,
etc., in a
particular subject. b a
book for such a course (A
Modern French Course). 5
any of the
successive parts of a meal. 6
Med. a
sequence of
medical treatment etc. (prescribed a course of antibiotics). 7 a line of
conduct (disappointed by the course he took). 8 Archit. a continuous
horizontal layer of
brick,
stone, etc., in a
building. 9 a channel in which
water flows. 10 the
pursuit of game (esp. hares)
with hounds,
esp. greyhounds, by
sight rather than scent. 11 Naut. a
sail on a square-rigged ship (fore course; main course). --v. 1 intr. (esp. of liquid)
run, esp. fast (blood coursed
through his veins). 2 tr. (also absol.) a
use (hounds) to
hunt. b
pursue (hares etc.) in
hunting. øthe course of
nature ordinary events or
procedure. in course of in the process
of. in the course of
during. in the course of
time as time
goes by; eventually. a
matter of course the
natural or expected thing. of course
naturally; as is or
was to be expected;
admittedly. on (or off) course
following (or deviating from) the desired direction or
goal. run (or take)
its course (esp. of an illness)
complete its natural
development. øøcourser n. (in
sense 2 of v.). [ME f. OF cours f. L cursus f. currere cursrun]
