Paced

pace ¹  (ps)

n.

1. A step made in walking; a stride.

2. A unit of length equal to 30 inches (0.76 meter).

3. The distance spanned by a step or stride, especially:

a. The modern version of the Roman pace, measuring five English feet. Also called geometric pace.

b. Thirty inches at quick marching time or 36 at double time.

c. Five Roman feet or 58.1 English inches, measured from the point at which the heel of one foot is raised to the point at which it is set down again after an intervening step by the other foot.

4.

a. The rate of speed at which a person, animal, or group walks or runs.

b. The rate of speed at which an activity or movement proceeds.

5. A manner of walking or running: a jaunty pace.

6. A gait of a horse in which both feet on one side are lifted and put down together.

v. paced, pac·ing, pac·es

v.tr.

1. To walk or stride back and forth across: paced the floor nervously.

2. To measure by counting the number of steps needed to cover a distance.

3. To set or regulate the rate of speed for.

4. To advance or develop (something) at a particular rate or tempo: a thriller that was paced at a breathtaking speed.

5. To train (a horse) in a particular gait, especially the pace.

v.intr.

1. To walk with long deliberate steps.

2. To go at the pace. Used of a horse or rider.

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[Middle English, from Old French pas, from Latin passus, from past participle of pandere, to stretch, spread out; see pet- in Indo-European roots.]

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pa·ce ²  (päch, -k, ps)

prep.

With the permission of; with deference to. Used to express polite or ironically polite disagreement: I have not, pace my detractors, entered into any secret negotiations.

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[Latin pce, ablative of px, peace; see pag- in Indo-European roots.]

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pace adv.