Main Entry:

¹pace

Pronunciation:

\ˈpās\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English pas, from Anglo-French, stride, step, from Latin passus, from pandere to spread — more at fathom

Date:

14th century

1 a: rate of movement ; especially : an established rate of locomotion b: rate of progress ; specifically : parallel rate of growth or development <supplies kept pace with demand> c: an example to be emulated ; specifically : first place in a competition <three strokes off the pace — Time> d (1): rate of performance or delivery : tempo <a steady pace> <on pace to set a record> ; especially : speed <serves with great pace> <a pace bowler in cricket> (2): rhythmic animation : fluency <writes with color, with zest, and with pace — Amy Loveman>2: a manner of walking : tread3 a: step 2a(1) b: any of various units of distance based on the length of a human step4 aplural : an exhibition or test of skills or capacities <the trainer put the tiger through its paces> b: gait ; especially : a fast 2-beat gait (as of the horse) in which the legs move in lateral pairs and support the animal alternately on the right and left legs