[course] n [ME, fr OF, fr. L cursus, fr. currere to run--more at car] (14c) 1: the act or action of moving in a path from point to point
2: the path over which something moves or extends: as a: racecourse b (1): the direction of travel of a vehicle (as a ship or airplane) usu. measured as a clockwise angle from north; also: the projected path of travel (2): a point of the compass c: watercourse d: golf course 3 a: accustomed procedure or normal action "the law taking its ~" b: a chosen manner of conducting oneself: way of acting "our wisest ~ is to retreat" c (1): progression through a development or period or a series of acts or events (2): life history, career
4: an ordered process or succession: as a: a number of lectures or other matter dealing with a subject; also: a series of such courses constituting a curriculum "a premed ~" b: a series of doses or medications administered over a designated period
5. a: a part of a meal served at one time b: layer; esp: a continuous level range of brick or masonry throughout a wall c: the lowest sail on a square-rigged mast -- in due course : after a normal passage of time: in the expected or allotted time -- of course 1: following the ordinary way or procedure
2: as might be expected
[2]course vb coursed ; cours.ing vt (15c) 1: to follow close upon: pursue
2. a: to hunt or pursue (game) with hounds b: to cause (dogs) to run (as after game)
3: to run or move swiftly through or over: traverse "jets coursed the area daily" ~ vi: to run or pass rapidly along or as if along an indicated path "blood coursing through the veins"