I. ˈkȯrs noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French curs, course, from Latin cursus, from currere to run — more at car
Date: 14th century
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) usually 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 course
b. : a chosen manner of conducting oneself : way of acting
our wisest course 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 course
b. : a series of doses or medications administered over a designated period
5.
a. : a part of a meal served at one time
the main course
b. : layer ; especially : a continuous level range of brick or masonry throughout a wall
c. : the lowest sail on a square-rigged mast
•
- in due course
- of course
II. verb
( coursed ; cours·ing )
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
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
intransitive verb
: to run or pass rapidly along or as if along an indicated path
blood coursing through the veins