pace
Pronunciation: (pās), [key]
— n., v., paced, pac•ing.
—n.
- a rate of movement, esp. in stepping, walking, etc.: to walk at a brisk pace of five miles an hour.
- a rate of activity, progress, growth, performance, etc.; tempo.
- any of various standard linear measures, representing the space naturally measured by the movement of the feet in walking: roughly 30 to 40 in. (75 cm to 1 m). Cf.
- a single step: She took three paces in the direction of the door.
- the distance covered in a step: Stand six paces inside the gates.
- a manner of stepping; gait.
- a gait of a horse or other animal in which the feet on the same side are lifted and put down together.
- any of the gaits of a horse.
- a raised step or platform.
- to cause someone to demonstrate his or her ability or to show her or his skill: The French teacher put her pupils through their paces for the visitors.
- to act as an example for others to equal or rival; be the most progressive or successful: an agency that sets the pace in advertising.
—v.t.
- to set the pace for, as in racing.
- to traverse or go over with steps: He paced the floor nervously.
- to measure by paces.
- to train to a certain pace; exercise in pacing: to pace a horse.
- (of a horse) to run (a distance) at a pace: Hanover II paced a mile.
—v.i.
- to take slow, regular steps.
- to walk up and down nervously, as to expend nervous energy.
- (of a horse) to go at a pace.
pa•ce
Pronunciation: (pā'sē, pä'chā Lat. pä'ke), [key]
— prep.
- with all due respect to; with the permission of: I do not, pace my rival, hold with the ideas of the reactionists.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.