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| pace [ payss ] |
noun (plural pac·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. speed of movement: the speed at which somebody or something moves, especially when walking or running
  She quickened her pace.
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2. speed of events: the rate or speed at which things happen or develop
the pace of modern life
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3. step: a step taken when walking or running
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4. distance covered in step: the distance covered in a single step or stride
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5. unit of length: any unit of distance, ranging from 0.76 to 1.52 m (30 to 60 in.), based on the length of one or two human strides
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6. way of walking: a particular manner or style of walking
an uneven pace
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7. gait of horse: one of the distinctive ways in which a four-legged animal walks or runs at different speeds, e.g. a walk, trot, or canter, especially as executed by a trained horse
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8. 2-beat gait: a two-beat gait of a four-legged animal where both legs on one side of the body move and are put down together. It is natural in camels but the product of training in horses.
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verb (past and past participle paced, present participle pac·ing, 3rd person present singular pac·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb walk back and forth: to walk back and forth within a restricted area, especially in a state of nervous anxiety or deep thought
paced up and down all night worrying
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2. transitive and intransitive verb walk along something: to walk along or through something with regular strides
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3. transitive and intransitive verb measure something by counting steps: to measure a distance by counting the paces taken to cover it
I paced out the width of the room.
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4. transitive verb set speed of something: to set the speed at which somebody runs, moves, or does something
I helped her train for the marathon by pacing her on a bicycle.
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5. pace your·self vr do something at controlled rate: to run or work at an even controlled speed so as not to waste energy
Learn to pace yourself.
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6. intransitive verb move at pace: to move at the distinctive two-beat gait known as the pace
(
refers to horses
)
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| [13th century. Directly or via French pas "step" < Latin passus "stretch (of the leg)" < pandere "stretch, extend"] |
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at somebody's own pace at the rate that is natural or comfortable for somebody
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force the pace to do something to force somebody to go faster or to make something happen more quickly
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off the pace sportsbehind the leader, or less than the score of the leading competitor
three strokes off the pace
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put something through its paces to make something demonstrate its capabilities, as a test or in order to impress other people
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set the pace to go at a speed or establish a standard that others have to keep up with
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stand or stay the pace to be able to keep up with other people, especially when the pace is fast, the standard high, or the competition fierce
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