Main Entry: ¹course

Pronunciation: \ˈkȯrs\

Function: 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 : after a normal passage of time : in the expected or allotted time <his discoveries led in due course to new forms of treatment>

— of course 1 : following the ordinary way or procedure <will be done as a matter of course>
2 : as might be expected <of course we will go>