■ noun
1》 the route or direction followed by a ship, aircraft, road, or river.
2》 the way in which something progresses or develops.
↘(also ~ of action ) a procedure adopted to deal with a situation.
3》 a dish forming one of the successive parts of a meal.
4》 a series of lectures or lessons in a particular subject.
↘ Medicine a series of repeated treatments or doses of medication.
5》 an area of land prepared for racing, golf, or another sport.
6》 a continuous horizontal layer of brick or stone.
7》 Bell-ringing a series of changes which brings the bells back to their original order, or the changes of a particular bell.
8》 a sail on the lowest yards of a square-rigged ship.
■ verb
1》 (of liquid) flow.
2》 [often as noun coursing ] pursue (game, especially hares) with greyhounds using sight rather than scent.
Phrases
the ~ of nature normal and expected events or processes.
in ( the ) ~ of
1》 undergoing (the specified process).
2》 during (the specified period).
of ~ as expected.
↘used to give or emphasize agreement or permission.
↘admittedly.
on (or off ) ~ following (or not following) the intended route.
run (or take ) its ~ complete its natural development without interference.
Origin
ME: from OFr. cours , from L. cursus , from curs- , currere 'run'.