pace: Meaning and Definition of

pace

Pronunciation: (pās), [key]
— n., v., paced, pac•ing.
—n.
  1. a rate of movement, esp. in stepping, walking, etc.: to walk at a brisk pace of five miles an hour.
  2. a rate of activity, progress, growth, performance, etc.; tempo.
  3. 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.
  4. a single step: She took three paces in the direction of the door.
  5. the distance covered in a step: Stand six paces inside the gates.
  6. a manner of stepping; gait.
  7. a gait of a horse or other animal in which the feet on the same side are lifted and put down together.
  8. any of the gaits of a horse.
  9. a raised step or platform.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  1. to set the pace for, as in racing.
  2. to traverse or go over with steps: He paced the floor nervously.
  3. to measure by paces.
  4. to train to a certain pace; exercise in pacing: to pace a horse.
  5. (of a horse) to run (a distance) at a pace: Hanover II paced a mile.
—v.i.
  1. to take slow, regular steps.
  2. to walk up and down nervously, as to expend nervous energy.
  3. (of a horse) to go at a pace.

pa•ce

Pronunciation: (pā'sē, pä'chā Lat. pä'ke), [key]
— prep.
  1. 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.
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