course

noun

1》 the route or direction followed by a ship, aircraft, road, or river.

2》 the way in which something progresses or develops.

    ↘(also course 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 course of nature normal and expected events or processes.

in (the) course of

1》 undergoing (the specified process).

2》 during (the specified period).

of course as expected.

↘used to give or emphasize agreement or permission.

↘admittedly.

on (or off) course following (or not following) the intended route.

run (or take) its course complete its natural development without interference.

Origin

ME: from OFr. cours, from L. cursus, from curs-, currere 'run'.