course

noun

• 1 [in singular] the route or direction followed by a ship, aircraft, road, or river:the road adopts a tortuous course along the coast the new fleet changed course to join the other ships
• the way in which something progresses or develops:the course of history
• a procedure adopted to deal with a situation.
• an area of land set aside and prepared for racing, golf, or another sport.

• 2a dish, or a set of dishes served together, forming one of the successive parts of a meal:guests are offered a choice of main course [in combination]:a four-course meal

• 3a series of lectures or lessons in a particular subject, typically leading to a qualification:a business studies course
• Medicine a series of repeated treatments or doses of medication:the doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics

• 4 Architecture a continuous horizontal layer of brick, stone, or other material in a building.

• 5a pursuit of game (especially hares) with greyhounds by sight rather than scent.

• 6the lowest sail on a square-rigged mast.

• 7a set of adjacent strings on a guitar, lute, etc., tuned to the same note.

verb

• 1 [no object] (of liquid) move without obstruction; flow:tears were coursing down her cheeks figurativeexultation coursed through him

• 2 [with object] pursue (game, especially hares) with greyhounds using sight rather than scent:many of the hares coursed escaped unharmed [no object]:she would course for hares with her greyhounds