n.
1) to carve out, make a ~ (for oneself)
2) to enter on; launch a ~
3) to abandon, give up one's ~
4) to cut short smb.'s ~ (the accident cut short her ~)
5) a brilliant, distinguished; checkered; promising; successful; turbulent ~
6) an academic; amateur; diplomatic; literary; military; political; professional; public; stage ~
7) a ~ as (to carve out a ~ as a diplomat)
8) a ~ in (she made a ~ for herself in politics)