course

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.
Phrases and idioms:
the 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.
Derivatives:
courser n. (in sense 2 of v.).
Etymology: ME f. OF cours f. L cursus f. currere curs- run