The Collaborative International Dictionary
Race \Race\, n. [OE. ras, res, rees, AS. r[=ae]s a rush, running; akin to Icel. r[=a]s course, race. [root]118.]
A progress; a course; a movement or progression.
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Esp., swift progress; rapid course; a running.
The flight of many birds is swifter than the race of any beasts.
--Bacon. -
Hence: The act or process of running in competition; a contest of speed in any way, as in running, riding, driving, skating, rowing, sailing; in the plural, usually, a meeting for contests in the running of horses; as, he attended the races.
The race is not to the swift.
--Eccl. ix. 11.I wield the gauntlet, and I run the race.
--Pope. -
Competitive action of any kind, especially when prolonged; hence, career; course of life.
My race of glory run, and race of shame.
--Milton. A strong or rapid current of water, or the channel or passage for such a current; a powerful current or heavy sea, sometimes produced by the meeting of two tides; as, the Portland Race; the Race of Alderney.
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The current of water that turns a water wheel, or the channel in which it flows; a mill race.
Note: The part of the channel above the wheel is sometimes called the headrace, the part below, the tailrace.
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(Mach.) A channel or guide along which a shuttle is driven back and forth, as in a loom, sewing machine, etc. Race cloth, a cloth worn by horses in racing, having pockets to hold the weights prescribed. Race course.
The path, generally circular or elliptical, over which a race is run.
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Same as Race way, below. Race cup, a cup given as a prize to the victor in a race. Race glass, a kind of field glass. Race horse.
A horse that runs in competition; specifically, a horse bred or kept for running races.
A breed of horses remarkable for swiftness in running.
(Zo["o]l.) The steamer duck.
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(Zo["o]l.) A mantis.
Race knife, a cutting tool with a blade that is hooked at the point, for marking outlines, on boards or metals, as by a pattern, -- used in shipbuilding.
Race saddle, a light saddle used in racing.
Race track. Same as Race course (a), above.
Race way, the canal for the current that drives a water wheel.