First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1chase
noun \ˈchās\
Definition of CHASE
1
2
: something pursued : quarry
3
: a tract of unenclosed land used as a game preserve
4
: steeplechase 1
5
: a sequence (as in a movie) in which the characters pursue one another
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Origin of CHASE
Middle English, from Anglo-French chace, from chacer
2chase
verb
chasedchas·ing
Definition of CHASE
transitive verb
1
2
obsolete : harass
3
: to seek out —often used with down <detectives chasing down clues>
4
: to cause to depart or flee : drive <chase the dog out of the garden>
5
: to cause the removal of (a baseball pitcher) by a batting rally
6
: to swing at (a baseball pitched out of the strike zone)
intransitive verb
1
: to chase an animal, person, or thing <chase after material possessions>
Origin of CHASE
Middle English, from Anglo-French chacer, from Vulgar Latin *captiare — more at catch
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of CHASE
chase, pursue, follow, trail mean to go after or on the track of something or someone. chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running <a dog chasing a cat>. pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain <pursued the criminal through narrow streets>. follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake <friends followed me home in their car>. trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object <trail deer> <trailed a suspect across the country>.
3chase
verb
chasedchas·ing
Definition of CHASE
transitive verb
1
a : to ornament (metal) by indenting with a hammer and tools without a cutting edge b : to make by such indentation c : to set with gems
Origin of CHASE
Middle English, modification of Anglo-French enchaser to set
First Known Use: 15th century
4chase
noun
Definition of CHASE
2
: the bore of a cannon
3
a : trench b : a channel (as in a wall) for something to lie in or pass through
Origin of CHASE
French chas eye of a needle, from Late Latin capsus enclosed space, alteration of Latin capsa box — more at case
First Known Use: 1611
5chase
noun
Definition of CHASE
: a rectangular steel or iron frame in which letterpress matter is locked (as for printing)
Origin of CHASE
probably from French châsse frame, reliquary, from Middle French chasse, from Latin capsa
First Known Use: 1612
Chase
biographical name \ˈchās\
Definition of CHASE
Mary Ellen 1887–1973 Am. educ. & author
Chase
biographical name
Definition of CHASE
Sal*mon \ˈsa-mən, ˈsal-\ Portland 1808–1873 Am. statesman; chief justice United States Supreme Court (1864–73)
CHASE Defined for Kids
1chase
noun \ˈchās\
Definition of CHASE for Kids
: the act of following quickly in order to capture or catch up with : pursuit <Police caught the bank robbers after a chase.>
2chase
verb
chasedchas·ing
Definition of CHASE for Kids
1
: to follow quickly in order to catch up with or capture <chase a thief> <chase a bus>
2
: to drive away or out <She chased the rabbit away.>
Synonym Discussion of CHASE
chase, pursue, and follow mean to go after someone or something. chase is used of someone or something moving swiftly in order to catch up with something. <The children chased the ball.> pursue is used of a long, continual chase. <They pursued the enemy for miles.> follow does not suggest speed or a desire to actually catch up with something. <This dog followed me home.>
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