from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Chase \Chase\, n. [Cf. F. chasse, fr. chasser. See {Chase}, v.]
1. Vehement pursuit for the purpose of killing or capturing,
as of an enemy, or game; an earnest seeking after any
object greatly desired; the act or habit of hunting; a
hunt. "This mad chase of fame." --Dryden.
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You see this chase is hotly followed. --Shak.
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2. That which is pursued or hunted.
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Nay, Warwick, seek thee out some other chase,
For I myself must hunt this deer to death. --Shak.
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3. An open hunting ground to which game resorts, and which is
private properly, thus differing from a forest, which is
not private property, and from a park, which is inclosed.
Sometimes written chace. [Eng.]
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4. (Court Tennis) A division of the floor of a gallery,
marked by a figure or otherwise; the spot where a ball
falls, and between which and the dedans the adversary must
drive his ball in order to gain a point.
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{Chase gun} (Naut.), a cannon placed at the bow or stern of
an armed vessel, and used when pursuing an enemy, or in
defending the vessel when pursued.
{Chase port} (Naut.), a porthole from which a chase gun is
fired.
{Stern chase} (Naut.), a chase in which the pursuing vessel
follows directly in the wake of the vessel pursued.
{cut to the chase} (Film), a term used in action movies
meaning, to shift the scene to the most exciting part,
where someone is being chased. It is used metaphorically
to mean "get to the main point".
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