Forms: 3–7 cours, (4 cource, coures, kours), 4–5 cors, curs, (corps, courss(e, 5 cowrs(s)e, cowurs, kowrs), 5–8 corse, (7 coarse), 4– course. [α. a. F. cours (11–13th c. curs, cors) = Pr. cors, Sp. curso, It. corso:—L. cursu-m (u-stem) running, run, race, course, f. currĕre to run. (Here the pl. was formerly as in F. cours.) β. a. F. course (13th c. in Godef., but little used bef. 16th c.) = Pr. and It. corsa, a fem. form analogous to sbs. in -ta, -sa, f. pa. pples. (cf. chute, fuite, venue (:—venuta), assise, mise). The α and β forms are not distinguishable from 15th c.]
I. The action of running, or moving onward.
† 1. The action of running; a run; a gallop on horseback. Obs.
c. 1300. K. Alis., 5003. Barefoot hy gon withouten shoon … Every wilde dere astore, Hy mowen by cours ernen tofore.
1440. Gesta Rom., ii. 6 (Harl. MS.). Whenne þe seruauntis hirde hire lord crye, they come in with a swift cours, and slow the toode.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, xliii. 146. Huon … made a course to asay his horse.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1673), 54. They are most swift in course, and will run a race as fast as any horse.
1623. Bingham, Xenophon, 11. No man could lay hand vpon an Ostrich … For she runs away flying vsing her feet for course, & lifting vp her selfe with her wings.
1687. Phil. Trans., XVI. 375. The Foot of this Animal [Ostrich] seems contrived for a speedy Course.
2. Onward movement in a particular path, as of the heavenly bodies, a ship, etc.
c. 1290. S. Eng. Leg., I. 311/406. Þe heouene geth ene a-boute þoruȝ daiȝe and þoruȝ nyȝt … Heo makez euene þus hire cours and comez a-boute wel sone.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 216. I sigh a barly cake, Which fro the hille … come rollend down … Forth in his cours.
a. 1619. Fotherby, Atheom., II. xi. § 4 (1622), 317. These … courses, and recourses of the Starres.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., lxiv. § 1. 256. Vve continued our course vvith our Oars and Sails for seven vvhole days together.
1718. Rowe, trans. Lucan, 128. The Moon her monthly Course had now begun.
1732. Pope, Ess. Man, I. 62. When the proud steed shall know why man restrains His fiery course.
1759. Johnson, Rasselas, xxxvii. They slackened their course.
b. Phrases. See 11 b.
3. A race. arch.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, vii. 169. Tomorrowe shall be the courses of the horses.
1526. Tindale, 1 Cor. ix. 24. They which runne in a course runne all, yet butt one receaveth the rewarde.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 316. O’er th’ Elean Plains, thy well-breath’d Horse Impels the flying Carr, and wins the Course.
1801. Strutt, Sports & Past., I. iii. 42. The races were then called bell courses, because the prize was a silver bell.
1807. Robinson, Archæol. Græca, III. xxi. 325. Who gained the prize in the course of the stadium.
† 4. Swift or violent motion; impetus; force.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1725), 179. A pece with a grete cours at ons felle doun alle.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 9895. Troiell … Kayres euyn to the kyng … With all the corse of his caple & a kene speire. Ibid., 12479. Þai counted no course of the cold stormys.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), xxxiii. 151. Þas riuers commez with so grete a course and so grete a birre.
† 5. The rush together of two combatants in battle or tournament; charge, onset; a passage at arms, bout, encounter. Obs. or Hist.
c. 1325. Coer de L., 454. What knyght was he that rode best cours?
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XVIII. 316. Till thame all ane courss he maiss.
c. 1420. Avow. Arth., xxiv. Take thi schild and thi spere And ride to him a course on werre.
c. 1450. Merlin, xxvii. 511. And at foure cours thei haue hem perced thourgh.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 292. Eyther of them set hys speare in the rest to have runne the first course.
1588. Lett., in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), II. 77. The Earl himself … horsed and armed, did run very many courses, and especially … as they call it the ‘course of the field’ which I had never seen before.
1621. Lady M. Wroth, Urania, 334. There was tilting, course of field, and many such braue exercises.
1808. Scott, Marm., IV. xxi. We ran our course, my charger fell—What could he ’gainst the shock of hell?
† 6. A raid, inroad. [F. course.] Obs.
1651. trans. De-las-Coveras’ Don Fenise, 167. The Moores … make sallies and courses upon the Christian countries.
1678. A. Lovell, Fontaine’s Duties Cav., 62. The Enemies not daring to make courses and inroads to waste and pillage it.
7. The action or practice of coursing, or pursuing game with hounds (esp. hares with greyhounds); a race of dogs (after a hare, etc.).
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 836. This duk wol have of him a cours or tweye With houndes.
c. 1475[?]. Hunt. Hare, 24. Yf ye have ony grehowndes hom with yow to bryng, A cours ther schall ye have.
a. 1535. Fisher, Spir. Consol., Wks. (1876), 366. To see a corse at a Hare.
1666. Dryden, Ann. Mirab., cxxxi. So have I seen some fearful hare maintain A course, till tired before the dog she lay.
1741. Compl. Fam. Piece, II. i. 308. There are several Courses with Greyhounds, namely, at the Deer, Hare, and Fox.
1792. Osbaldiston, Brit. Sportsman, 125/1. The course of the deer in the forest or purlieu.
1818. ‘W. H. Scott,’ Brit. Field Sports, 353. Many instances have occurred of real racing Courses of the Hare by Greyhounds in an open country.
1891. Field, 7 March, 347/2. Johnny Moor practically ran a single-handed course, as Brave Briton was unable to raise a gallop.
† b. The hare or other beast coursed. Obs.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1673), 117. Keep them [greyhounds] also in the leam or slip … untill they see their course—I mean, the hare or deer.
1704. Dict. Rust., s.v. Greyhound.
† 8. Running (of liquids); flow, flux. Obs.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 228. Whanne þe cours of þe mater ceessiþ.
c. 1430. Lydg., in Turner, Dom. Archit., III. 39. Borne awaye by cours of the ryuere.
1523. Act 14–15 Hen. VIII., c. 6. Many other common waies … be so depe and noyous, by wearyng and course of water.
1541. R. Copland, Galyen’s Terap., 2 G j. The euacuacyon of the cours of to moche blode.
1665. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677). At the Suns approach [the snow] thaws, and by its violent course or flux of Water causes those inundations [of the Nile].
9. Faculty or opportunity of running, moving, flowing, passing current, etc.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 13. Þat humouris mown not have her cours to renne to þe wounde.
1539. Act 31 Hen. VIII., c. 5. That the dere may haue course and recourse into the ground.
1582–8. Hist. James VI. (1804), 130. The religioun now established to haue cours, and to be reverenced with all men.
1611. Bible, 2 Thess. iii. 1. Pray for vs, that the word of the Lord may haue free course.
1863. W. Phillips, Speeches, viii. 222. We have got free course for ideas.
† 10. Passage or circulation (of money, etc.) from hand to hand; currency. To have course: to be current, be in circulation. Obs.
1457. Sc. Acts Jas. II. (1597), § 74. That thay measures, pynt, quart, and firlot haue course, and nane vthers.
1485. Caxton, Chas. Gt., 205. The fynest syluer that had thenne cours.
1503. Act 19 Hen. VII., c. 5. All Manner of Pence … having the Print of the Kings Coin, shall have Course, and be Current for Payment.
1512. Act 4 Hen. VI., c. 19 § 14. Those penyes to be taken & have course oonlye for halpens.
II. The path, line or direction of running.
11. The line along which anything runs or travels; the path or way taken by a moving body, a flowing stream, etc.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 3152. Othere toke þat cors an haste & to þe tour ȝeate þar-wiþ buþ wente.
c. 1391. Chaucer, Astrol., II. § 13. The heiest cours that any sterre fix clymbeth by nyht.
1594. R. Crompton, L’Auth. des Covrts, Purpresture may be called … turning comon waters from the right course.
1665. Hooke, Microgr., 130. That a Ship … when the Wind blows, be mov’d in such a way or course to that or t’other place.
1727. Swift, Gulliver, II. viii. A sail, which he had a mind to make, being not much out of his course.
1756–7. trans. Keysler’s Trav. (1760), III. 358. On the left-hand of the road … the ancient course of the Adige … is still to be seen.
1867. O. W. Holmes, Guard. Angel, I. 125. So she glided … slowly down the course of the winding river.
fig. 1761. Churchill, Night, Wks. I. 81. In diff’rent courses diff’rent tempers run.
b. Hence (or from sense 2) various phrases, as to hold, take, bend, change, direct, turn one’s course, and the like.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 8488 (Gött.). Þar þe stremis held þair cours.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 295. His cours he nam with saile up drawe.
1548. Hall, Chron., 28 b. The said erle … made his course thether.
1590. Shaks., Com. Err., I. i. 118. Homeward did they bend their course. Ibid. (1595), John, V. vii. 38. Nor let my kingdomes Riuers take their course Through my burn’d bosome.
1746–7. Hervey, Medit. (1758), I. 150. Let our Passions rise and fall; take this Course or that; as his Word determines, as his holy Example guies
1836. Marryat, Midsh. Easy, xiii. He therefore directed his course to the convoy.
1837. W. Irving, Capt. Bonneville, III. 238. It was Captain Bonneville’s intention to shape his course to the settlements.
1879. Miss Yonge, Cameos, Ser. IV. v. 61. Other sermons took the same course.
1889. P. H. Emerson, Eng. Idyls, 130. He held on his course up the channel.
12. Naut. The direction in which, or point of the compass towards which, a ship sails. Hence transf. of the direction or line pursued by an ocean-current, mountain-chain, vein of ore, etc.
1553. S. Cabot, in Hakluyt, Voy., 259. All courses in Nauigation to be set and kept by the aduice of the Captain.
1555. Eden, Decades, 351. We sette owre course south and by East.
1669. Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., 3. Each several Course hath two Points of the Compass, by which it is expressed…. Where there is any place scituated South-east, in respect of another place, we say the Rhomb or Course that runneth betwixt them, is South-east and North-west.
1692. Capt. Smith’s Seaman’s Gram., I. xvi. 76. The Course, is that Point of the Compass on which the Ship sails.
1747. in Col. Rec. Pennsylv., V. 107. That the said Road shall be Resurveyed and laid out according to the Courses it now runs.
1799. Kirwan, Geol. Ess., 159. Mountains are said to have their course in that direction of their length in which they descend, and grow lower.
1815. Falconer’s Dict. Marine, s.v., When a ship sails in a N.E. direction we say her course is four points or 45°.
1872. Raymond, Statist. Mines & Mining, 308. The Gardner lode is nearly parallel to the Illinois…. Its course is north 85° east, true.
1883. Stevenson, Treasure Isl., II. xii. The Hispaniola … sailed a course that would just clear the island on the east.
b. pl. ‘Points’ of the compass.
1610. Shaks., Temp., I. i. 53. Lay her a hold, a hold, set her two courses off to Sea againe, lay her off.
1664. in Sir T. Browne’s Wks. (1848), III. 526. That night [he] lay six courss of.
1891. Conan Doyle, in Cornh. Mag., June, 583. Lay her two courses to the wind!
13. The ground on which a race is run; a race-course.
c. 1320. Sir Beues, 3516. Þe kours was seue mile long.
1570. Levins, Manip., 224. A course, cursus, stadium.
1715–20. Pope, Iliad, XXIII. 328. Prizes to reward the force Of rapid racers in the dusty course.
1766. Pennant, Zool., Horse (1812), I. 2 (R.). The same horse has also run the round course at Newmarket (which is about 400 yards less than 4 miles) in six minutes and forty seconds.
1831. Blackw. Mag., XXIX. 880/1. The finest racehorse … is never seen to less advantage than when walking over the course.
1878. Ann. Register, 53. A royal party arrived on the course.
transf. 1804. Ann. Reg., 413. All the course must have witnessed the very handsome manner in which Mr. Flint brought me in.
† 14. A fashionable riding or driving place; = F. cours, It. corso. Obs.
1646. Evelyn, Mem. (1857), I. 236. Rich coaches … full of noblesse, who frequent the course every night.
[1670. Cotton, Espernon, II. VIII. 408. He being … often observ’d in the Cours at Paris in a very rich Coach, drawn by six dapple-Gray Spanish Horses.]
1767. S. Paterson, Another Traveller, I. 292. The agreeable promenades, the fashionable course—those are the charms of Brussels!
15. A channel (natural or artificial) in which water flows; a watercourse.
1665. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 164. Pure water, which first glides … through a stone course or channel six foot deep and as many broad.
1737. B. Franklin, Earthquakes, Wks. 1887, I. 463. The subterraneous waters … cutting out new courses.
1850. W. B. Clarke, Wreck of ‘Favorite,’ 85. The water course was about six or eight feet wide, having so rapid a descent that we could not have passed down.
III. fig. Of time, events or action.
16. The continuous process (of time), succession (of events); progress onward or through successive stages.
c. 1340. Cursor M., 267 (Laud MS. 416). Cource of this world men shull yt calle.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, E vj b. It is conuenyent that the tyme haue his cours.
1551. T. Wilson, Logike (1580), 89. Throughout the whole course of this my rude and simple booke.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 758. In the course of his life.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 355. The yeare hath runne his course.
1647–8. Cotterell, Davila’s Hist. Fr. (1678), 2. The whole Course of the Civil Wars.
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., V. II. 274. I return from it to the course of the history.
1882. J. H. Blunt. Ref. Ch. Eng., II. 23. The course of events which brought about this rapid fall.
1888. Burgon, Lives 12 Gd. Men, I. i. 1. Four-and-thirty years have run their course since [etc.].
† b. The space of time over which any process extends; length (in time), duration. Obs.
1665. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 234. The whole course of his [Noah’s] life was 950 years.
1707. Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 65. The Course of its Life is sixteen Hours.
17. Life viewed as a race that is run; career.
1382. Wyclif, 2 Tim. iv. 7. I haue stryuyn a good stryf, I haue endid the cours, I haue kept the feith.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sec. Nun’s T., 387. Youre cours is doon.
1571. Hanmer, Chron. Irel. (1633), 38. Where he made an end of his course, and slept with his fathers.
1672. Sir T. Browne, Lett. Friend, xx. (1881), 141. They that enter the world with original diseases … make commonly short courses.
1773. Mrs. Chapone, Improv. Mind (1774), II. 23. Some pursuits … can only engage us in the beginning of our course.
1841. Miss Mitford, in L’Estrange, Life, III. viii. 117. How much, in its … melancholy close, does it [the life of Scott] resemble the course of Napoleon.
† 18. The continuous connected purport or tenor of a narrative; drift. Obs.
1553. T. Wilson, Rhet. (1580), 102. At the first we couch together the whole course of our tale in as small roume as wee can. Ibid., 147. The nature and whole course of a matter, beying largely set out.
1555. Bonner, Homilies, 72. Al the circumstances of the texte, and course of Scripture dothe importe the contrary.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 211. Pythagoras now being (as the course of the Epistle offerreth me to thinke) in Italie.
1723. Col. Rec. Pennsylv., III. 223. I send you a copy because I believe it to be in course much the same with what you mentioned to have been received.
19. Habitual or ordinary manner of procedure; way, custom, practice. Course of nature (formerly c. of kind): the ordinary procedure of nature; the natural order, esp. in regard to its constancy or regularity. Course of exchange: see EXCHANGE sb. 4.
c. 1325. Song of Merci, 17, in E. E. P. (1862), 119. Heo dud after þe cours of kynde And fleiȝ in-to a treo anon.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, I. 334. As the courss askis off ȝowtheid.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 1583. Of all þe craftes to ken as þere course askit.
1511–2. Act 3 Hen. VIII., c. 23 § 7. The same to be ordred … aftur the course of the same Eschequer.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531), 25 b. A certeyn sterre apperynge in ye heuen, aboue the course of nature.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 441. It cannot flowe at one houre so high … as the common course thereof is accustomed to doe.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 499, ¶ 4. Her spouse was very old, and by the course of nature could not expect to live long.
1744. Berkeley, Siris, § 134. There is therefore a constancy in things, which is styled the Course of Nature.
1754. London Mag., May, 223. The current course of exchange between London and Paris always runs in favour of France.
1757. Burke, Abridgm. Eng. Hist., II. vii. Here in ordinary course they held a monthly Court for the Centenary.
1771. Junius Lett., xlix. 256. The law must take its course.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 85. Never again to imprison any person, except in due course of law.
1866. Crump, Banking, vii. 146. The quotation of the uncertain price is termed the ‘rate’ or ‘course of exchange.
1886. Act 49 Vict., c. 22 § 4. When the letter … would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
† 20. Systematic or appointed order, order of succession. Obs.
1558. Close Roll, in Vicary’s Anat. (1888), 181. The yere of oure Lord God, after the course and rekenynge of the Churche of Englond, a thousand, fyue hundreth, fyftie and seuen.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, II. (1625), 82. Inversion of words besides their common course, as when we say … faults no man liveth without, when order requireth we should say, No man liveth without faults.
1622. Sparrow, Bk. Com. Prayer (1661), 48. For the Choice of these Lessons … holy Church observes a several course.
21. A line of (personal) action, way of acting, method of proceeding. To take (such and such) a course: to proceed or act in such and such a way. † To take a course: to act in a particular way or with a particular purpose; to take steps (obs.).
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 64. Now what counsayl, what course may rightlye be taken?
1632. J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, 23. If you will follow this course, you shall … reape therby many commodities.
1650. in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1883), I. 172. The Maior … shall disburse moneys and take course to see the same fenced.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., p. lvi. If there be not a speedy course taken to remove some Encroachments.
1747. Wesley, Prim. Physick (1762), 18. To persevere in this Course is often more than half the Cure.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, VI. i. 268. I think our wisest course will be to join the cry.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 53. The supreme pontiff was for legal and moderate courses.
1872. E. Peacock, Mabel Heron, I. iii. 47. He had made up his mind to a certain course of action.
b. pl. Ways of action, proceedings; personal conduct or behavior, esp. of a reprehensible kind; ‘goings on.’ arch.
1592. Greene, Groatsw. Wit. I might intreate your rare wits to be imployed in more profitable courses.
1605. Lond. Prodigal, V. i. 275. With conceit of his vile courses.
a. 1670. Hacket, Abp. Williams, I. (1692), 2. I knew his Courses as much … as any Man beside.
1684. Contempl. St. Man, I. xi. (1692), 129. They have dissuaded them from their Evil courses.
1847. Tennyson, Princess, III. 197. Baser courses, children of despair.
1865. M. Arnold, Ess. Crit., Pref. p. xiii. But in his old age he has mended his courses.
IV. A consecutive series.
22. A planned or prescribed series of actions or proceedings: as of medicine, diet, study, lectures, etc.
1605. D. Boyd, in Z. Boyd, Zion’s Flowers, App. (1855), 31/2. [He] will pass his course at the Colledge within two years.
1609. Bp. Hall, Passion Serm., Recoll. Treat. (1614), 640. A wonderfull Physitian; a wonderfull course of cure.
1629. J. Cole, Of Death, 114. A certaine strict course of dyet.
c. 1750. N. Bliss, in Collect. (Oxf. Hist. Soc.), I. 337. Any one of these Classes or Courses will require about three Months.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., II. xxxii. 241. A regular course of study and exercise was judiciously instituted.
1801. J. Magennis, in Med. Jrnl., V. 206. I wished much to put him on a course of chalybeate tonics before his discharge.
1884. A. R. Pennington, Wiclif, ix. 290. He began to deliver … a course of lectures on the Epistles of St. Paul.
1891. Illustr. Lond. News, 28 Nov., 701/1. The ‘course’ is usually fifteen douche-baths and five tube-baths.
b. Eccl. The prescribed series of prayers for the seven canonical hours.
1570. B. Googe, Pop. Kingd., III. 36 b. To him they certaine prayers giue, that here the Course they call.
1839. Yeowell, Anc. Brit. Ch., vii. (1847), 72. Shewing … that the Scottish … course was of as ancient and noble parentage as their own.
1844. Lingard, Anglo-Sax. Ch. (1858), I. vii. 272. The course, or order of daily prayer for the seven hours.
c. gen. A number of things following one another in regular sequence; a prolonged series.
1828. Ld. Grenville, Sink. Fund, 25. Formed in a long course of centuries.
1871. Smiles, Charac., iii. (1876), 64. Persons who have been housemates for a course of years.
23. Agric. The system of rotation of crops; a series of crops in rotation.
1767. A. Young, Farmer’s Lett. People, 141. Let this experiment last three courses, or twelve years.
1795. Burke, Th. Scarcity, Wks. 1842, II. 251. The turnip and grass land course, which is the prevalent course on the more or less fertile, sandy and gravelly loams.
1844. Jrnl. Agric. Soc., V. I. 162. It is usually cropped on the four-field or Norfolk course. Ibid. (1858), XIX. I. 48. The general system of working the land is on the four or five years’ course; of roots, spring corn, seeds for one or two years, and wheat.
24. Change-ringing. The successive shifting of the order in which a particular bell is struck in a series of changes; also, a series of changes in which the bells return to their former order.
1677. F. S[tedman], Campanol., 82. Upon six bells there are also single and double Courses, viz. twelve changes in every single Course, as in Grandsire Bob, &c., and twenty four changes in every double Course, as in Colledg Bob, &c.
1684. R. H., School Recreat., 94. Some Peals upon five Bells consist of single Courses, wherein are ten Changes, and twelve Courses make the Peal. Ibid., 112. The two hind Bells dodge, and the five first go a perfect Hunting-Course.
1879. Troyte, in Grove, Dict. Mus., I. 334/2. Treble Bob.… It derives its name from the fact that, instead of the plain hunting course, the bells, and more especially the ‘Treble,’ have a dodging course.
V. Each member of a consecutive series.
25. Each of the successive parts or divisions of a meal, whether consisting of a single dish, or of a set of dishes placed upon the table at once.
c. 1325. Coer de L., 3429. Fro kechene come the fyrste cours, With pypes, and trumpes, and tabours.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sqr.’s T., 58. It nedeth nat for to deuyse At every cours the ordre of hire servyse.
c. 1477. Caxton, Jason, 119. How many course and how many dishes at euery cours ther were seruid.
1599. Minsheu, Dial. Sp. & Eng. (1623), 6. Bring us some Olives for the third course.
1662. Dryden, Wild Gallant, I. i. I’ll tell you the Story between the Courses.
1773. Goldsm., Stoops to Conq., II. What’s here? For the first course; for the second course; for the dessert.
1858. O. W. Holmes, Aut. Breakf.-t., 319. And the Professor showed the whites of his eyes devoutly, like one returning thanks after a dinner of many courses.
† 26. Each of several successive attacks: a. of disease. Obs.
1533. Elyot, Cast. Helthe (1541), 20 b. Medicinable agaynste gowtes, joynt aches, and feuers, which come by courses.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), III. 24. He … died of a severe course of the gout.
† b. in Bear-baiting. Obs.
‘The bear was tied to a stake and baited with dogs, a certain number at a time. Each of these attacks was technically termed a “course”’ (Aldis Wright, Note on Macbeth).
1605. Shaks., Macb., V. vii. 2. They haue tied me to a stake, I cannot flye, But Beare-like I must fight the course.
1638. Brome, Antipodes, IV. i. Also you shall see two ten dogge-courses at the Great Beare.
1829. Scott, Jrnl. (1890), II. 276. I am brought to the stake, and must perforce stand the course.
27. pl. The menstrual discharge, catamenia, menses. Also in sing. (obs. rare).
1563. Hyll, Art Garden. (1593), 151. Beware that they which haue their monethly courses, doe not then … come neare.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, I. xxxiv. § 2. 47. The monthly course of women.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., 177. When Maids begin to have their Courses.
1671. Salmon, Syn. Med., III. iii. 389. Chast-tree … stops the courses.
1839. Todd, Cycl. Anat., II. 440/1. The … expressions of ‘the illness’ or ‘the courses’ are those in most common use among the vulgar.
28. A set of things made or used at one time; spec. of candles made at once.
1551–2. Will of W. Smythe (Somerset Ho.). Unto the poore of this parishe a Course of Candelles xvj in the pounde.
1572. in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford, 341. Yt every fuller have eleven corse of kandells and 2 payre of sheres at yt least.
1712. Act 10 Anne, in Lond. Gaz., No. 5031/6. No Maker of Candles … shall begin to make any Course or Making of Candles, without Notice thereof first given.
29. A row, range or layer.
† a. A layer, stratum. Obs. exc. as in b, c.
c. 1430. Two Cookery-bks., 49. Ley þe iiij. course of þin Fleyssche … as brode as þin cake.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 131. Set the nethermoste course vpon the endes, and the seconde course flat vppon the syde.
1553. Brende, Q. Curtius, F viij. Over those a newe course of trees and stones agayne.
1641. Best, Farm. Bks. (Surtees), 146. The breadth that the thatcher taketh up with him, all att a time, afore the ladder bee removed, that is called the course; for they will say that hee wanteth … soe many course to the ende of the howse.
1748. Anson’s Voy., III. vii. 487. They … hove out the first course of the Centurion’s star-board side.
b. Building. A single continuous range or layer of stones, bricks, or timber, of the same height throughout, in a wall, the face of a building, etc.; also, a row of slates, tiles or shingles.
1624. Wotton, Archit. (1672), 20. That certain Courses or Ledges of more strength then the rest, be interlayed like Bones.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, 15. Lay a course of Stone on the Cornish.
1703. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 129. Three, or four, or five course of Bricks to be laid.
1859. Jephson, Brittany, xiv. 233. In some parts of the walls courses of Roman brick might still be seen.
1869. Phillips, Vesuvius, ii. 34. Broad bricks … laid in several courses among squared small stone.
c. Mining, etc. A layer or lode of ore, etc.
1778. Pryce, Min. Cornub., 319. Any Vein or Lode is often termed a Course.
1810. J. T., in Risdon’s Surv. Devon, p. xiii. They are called by the miner cross lodes, cross courses, or caunters.
1880. Mining Jrnl., 9 Oct. A course of ore … was struck.
d. In a musical instrument. e. In a file.
1874. Knight, Dict. Mech., Course … 2. (Music.) A set of strings of the same tone placed alongside, and struck one, two, or three at a time, according to the strength of sound desired. Ibid., 3. A row of parallel teeth on the face of a file. One course makes a single-cut file. A course crossing the file at right angles constitutes it a double-cut file.
f. A flight (of stairs).
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xxxii. Seven courses of stairs brought you up hither with fatigue and shortened breath.
g. A stage (of life).
1851. Ruskin, Stones Ven. (1874), I. xxv. 273. The beginning, the several courses, and the close of a human life.
† 30. The time for anything that comes round to each individual in succession; (one’s) turn. Obs.
1530. Palsgr., 210/1. Cours of order, tovr.
1548. Hall, Chron., 116 b. Every company, as their course came, saluted the kyng.
1548. Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Matt. 105 a. Where men by courses be borne to dye.
1561. Eden, Arte Navig., Pref. cc iij. As it were course by course, when we haue the night, they haue the day.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 168. After the death of some noble Gentlemen, my course came next, though not to die.
1665. G. Havers, Sir T. Roe’s Voy. E. Ind., 374. Trouble and peace … comfort and discontent, come all of them by courses.
† b. advb. = In turn. Obs. rare.
c. 1611. Chapman, Iliad, II. 90. Pelops to Atreus, chief of men; he, dying, gave it course To prince Thyestes, rich in herds.
31. A set of persons appointed to serve in their turn along with another set or sets.
1535. Coverdale, 1 Chron. xxviii. [xxvii.] 1. Officers waytinge vpon the kynge, to go of and on after their course euery moneth one … Euery course had foure and twentye thousande.
1611. Bible, 1 Chron. xxviii. 13. Also for the courses of the Priests and the Leuites. Ibid., Luke i. 5. A certaine Priest, named Zacharias, of the course of Abia.
1658. J. Harrington, Prerog. Pop. Govt., I. xii. (1700), 305. We have the Courses of Israel for the first example of Rotation in a popular Assembly.
VI. Naut.
32. Each of the sails attached to the lower yards of a ship; now usually restricted to the fore-sail (fore-course) and main-sail (main-course). Formerly including also the stay-sails upon the lower masts: cf. quot. 1769.
c. 1515. Cocke Lorell’s B. 12. Mayne corse toke in a refe by force.
a. 1592. Greene & Lodge, Looking Glasse, Wks. (1861), 134/2. And severèd our bonnets from our courses.
1627. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., vii. 31. The maine saile and the fore saile is called the fore course, and the maine course or a paire of courses.
1694. Sev. Late Voy., I. (1711), 21. I stood to the Southward, close haled under my Courses.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), K k b. The courses are the main-sail, fore-sail, and mizen, main-stay-sail, fore-stay-sail, and mizen-stay-sail; but more particularly the three first.
1833. M. Scott, Tom Cringle, xviii. (1859), 503. Haul the courses up and heave to.
1842. Marryat, Percival Keene, xxxviii. She was pitching and rising without appearing to advance, under her courses and storm staysails.
VII. Prepositional Phrases.
33. By course. † a. In due course or order; as a consequence, naturally, duly, properly. Obs.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 1343. Moche sorowe for þe sight & sobbyng of teres … hom be course felle.
1549. Latimer, 1st Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 30. Well the kynges grace hath systers, my Ladye Mary, and my Lady Elizabeth, whych by succession and course are inheritours to the crowne.
1601. Cornwallyes, Ess., i. So by course my lease might be long.
1742. Lond. & Country Brewer, I. (ed. 4), 78. That it may … not be violently forced into a high Fermentation; for then by Course the Salt and Sulphur will be too violently agitated.
† b. By turns, in turn, alternately. Obs.
1548. Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Matt. ii. 27. And by course questioning with them.
1565–73. Cooper, Thesaurus, Alterna vice, by course.
1580. Sidney, Arcadia, I. 5. They took their journey … Claius and Strephon by course carrying his chest for him.
1622. Sparrow, Bk. Com. Prayer (1661), 38. These Psalms we sing or say by course, The Priest one verse, and the people another.
1671. H. M., trans. Erasm. Colloq., 201. As though that could not be known which knows not again by course.
c. 1680. Beveridge, Serm. (1729), I. 492–3. These the apostle would have the speak or sing to themselves, or to another by course…. They sang … among themselves by course, or one after another.
c. By course of: according to the customary course or procedure of (the law, etc.).
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, XI. viii. Thenne by course of kynde he slepte.
1491. Act 7 Hen. VII., c. 2 § 7. He had sued lyvere … by cours of the lawe.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 229. Concord wes maid be cours of commoun law.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., V. i. 35. Cut off by course of Iustice.
1658. Willsford, Scales Comm., Nat. Secrets, 198. They … yet expect a pardon by course of Law.
34. In course. † a. In order, in turn. Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 27160 (Cott.). An er þai aght in curs to kene, qua, quate, qui, quare, quam wit, quen, hu oft-sith, on quat-kin wise.
a. 1611. Beaum. & Fl., Maid’s Trag., I. i. When the rest … Tell mirthful tales in course that fill the room With laughter.
1665. J. Webb, Stone-Heng (1725), 158. He that was defied gave the first Stroak, and so they struck in Course.
b. In the regular, usual, natural or due order. Now in due course.
c. 1305. St. Edmund, 222, in E. E. P. (1862), 77. Of art he radde six ȝer … & siþþe for beo more profound … arsmetrike radde in cours in Oxenford wel faste.
1616. R. C., Times’ Whistle, v. 1824. The tapster … straight leaves His other guestes, in course to take his cup.
a. 1704. T. Brown, Sat. on Fr. King, Wks. 1730, I. 59. Ev’n Oaths, with thee, are only things in course.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ., Case Delicacy, II. 208. Hearing there were words between us, and fearing that hostilities would ensue in course.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 321. Everything now appearing to go on successfully and in course.
1876. Black, Madcap Violet, xx. 179. Mr. George Miller arrived in due course.
1883. Besant, Garden Fair, v. When the boys got promotion, which came in due course.
c. Naturally, as might be expected; = Of Course. (Now only in vulgar use.)
1722. Wollaston, Relig. Nat., ix. 173. The inclination itself … is in this case uppermost, and in course takes the commanding post.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ., Translation. If he had, I should in course have put the bow I made him into French too.
1805. Monthly Mag., XIX. 425. In course they are convertible words.
1840. Thackeray, Catherine, v. ‘Oh, in course,’ echoed the tall man.
† d. In a row or series. Obs.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 1644. Of crafty colours to know, all in course set.
1665. J. Webb, Stone-Heng (1725), 12. Four Stones in Course one within another.
35. In course of: in (regular) process of; in process of (construction, etc.). In the course of: in the process of, during the progress of. In the course of things: in the ordinary sequence of events.
a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Rem. Wks. (1660), 6. Which himself should in course of Nature inherit.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 320. No account being received in course of the post.
1837. Ht. Martineau, Soc. Amer., II. 186. A line is now in course of construction to the Hudson.
1865. Trollope, Belton Est., xxiii. 267. In course of post there came an answer.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., i. § 1. 1. Any crosses that may arrive unto them in the course of their lives.
1681. Dryden, Abs. & Achit., I. 549. In the course of one revolving moon, Was chymist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon.
1790. Paley, Horæ Paul., i. 8. Difficulties which presented themselves in the course of our inquiry.
1796. Jane Austen, Pride & Prej., ii. In the course of the morning.
1861. Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxf., i. (1889), 3. In the course of things men of other ideas came to rule at St. Ambrose.
1875. Jevons, Money (1878), 51. In the course of time … [it] may be introduced.
36. Of course. a. adjectival. Belonging to the ordinary procedure, custom, or way of the world; customary; natural, to be expected. Now esp. in a matter of course.
1541. Act 33 Hen. VIII., c. 22. With other clauses of course necessarie for the same.
1580. Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 93. The friendship between man and man as it is common so is it of course.
1642. J. M[arsh], Argt. conc. Militia, 19 (Milton’s Wks.). It will be said that the Writ is a Writ of course … and that from this there is no varying.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 109, ¶ 3. Their Congratulations and Condoleances are equally Words of Course.
1739. in Col. Rec. Pennsylv., IV. 392. He thought it a Matter of Course.
1795. Jemima, II. 87. You profess a wish to oblige me, said Rosina; if only words of course, I beg you will spare my ear.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), II. 88. A case in which this right is supported, as a thing of course.
1849. Macaulay, Speech, in Misc. Writings (1889), 749. I am not using a mere phrase of course, when I say [etc.].
1862. Trollope, Orley F., xiii. 99. As for her innocence, that was a matter of course. He knew that she was innocent.
b. adverbial. In ordinary or due course, according to the customary order, as a natural result. † Of common course: ordinarily, as an every-day occurrence.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 53 a. Of course and custom.
1548. Hall, Chron., 9 b. A pardon. which either is graunted of course, or ye kyng of pytee and compassion geveth.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., III. (1702), I. 207. No man presuming to intimate, that it should be granted in any other manner than of course it had been.
1657. Heylin, Ecclesia Vindicata, II. 472. That not once or twice, but of common course.
1736. Butler, Anal., II. vi. 234. For, the Information on which we want with Regard to our worldly Interests, is by no means always given us of Course, without any Care of our own.
1772. Junius Lett., Ded. (1804), I. p. ix. The King may possibly be advised to dissolve the present parliament a year or two before it expires of course.
1845. Stephen, Laws Eng., II. 391. It was at one time made a question whether giving the royal assent to a single bill did not of course put an end to the session.
c. Hence, in qualification of the whole clause or sentence: Naturally, as will be expected in the circumstances; for obvious reasons, obviously. (Sometimes used as an emphatic affirmative reply.)
1823. J. D. Hunter, Mem. Captivity N. Amer., 39. She made some very particular inquiries about my people, which, of course, I was unable to answer.
1838. Dickens, O. Twist (Tauchn.), xxxiii. 266. ‘You will tell her I am here?’ said Harry. ‘Of course,’ replied Mrs. Maylie.
1861. M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 32. It would be easy, of course, to exaggerate this truth of the continuity of history into a falsehood.
Mod. And you were present? Of course; why not?
† 37. On or upon course = 36 b. Obs.
1618. Bolton, Florus, III. x. 199. The Tide withdrawing upon course, during the skirmish.
1626. Ailesbury, Passion Serm., 24. Thus Pilate … is desirous that Christ might be pardoned upon course.
1677. Govt. Venice, 7. When that is held, the rest do cease on course, as formerly all the Courts in Rome did during their Comitia.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 16, ¶ 3. When I see the Name Cœlia … at the Bottom of a Scrawl, I conclude on course that it brings me some account of a fallen Virgin [etc.].
† 38. Out of course (adj. and adv.). Out of proper order or measure, irregularly, improperly.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 209. Þe pape sauh out of cours þe wikkednes of Jon.
1548. Hall, Chron., 29 b. Master Jhon Petit … wrested scripture and doctors so far out of course.
1553. Grimalde, Cicero’s Offices (1556), 85. He spake manie thinges notablie, but this, out of course.
VIII. 39. Comb., as course-end (Change-ringing), see sense 24; course-stone, one of a course or series of stones (see 29 b).
1883. Birm. Daily Post, 19 Oct., 7/3. The peal has the tenors together throughout, and is in six parts, with 120 ‘course ends.’
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 252. Stones called Corsestones, Weighing 12. tunne.
1665. J. Webb, Stone-Heng (1725), 17. He sets down … twelve Tun unto his Course-stones, and six or seven to his Cronets over them.
