chase1
v.
- pursue in order to catch or catch up with.
- rush or cause to go in a specified direction.
- try to obtain (something owed or required).
▸
(chase something up)
(US chase something down)
investigate an unresolved matter further.
n.
- an act of chasing.
-
(the chase)
hunting as a sport.
▸
Brit. (in place names) an area of unenclosed land formerly reserved for hunting:
Cannock Chase.
Phrase
- give chase
go in pursuit.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. chacier (v.), chace (n.), based on L. captare ‘continue to take’, from capere ‘take’.
chase2
v.
[
usu. as adj. chased]
decorate (metal) by engraving or inlaying.
Etymology
ME: appar. from earlier enchase, from OFr. enchasser (see enchase).
chase3
n.
(in letterpress printing) a metal frame for holding the composed type and blocks being printed at one time.
Etymology
C16: from Fr. châsse, from L. capsa (see case2).
chase4
n.
- the part of a gun enclosing the bore.
- a groove or furrow cut in the face of a wall or other surface to receive a pipe.
Etymology
C17: from Fr. chas ‘enclosed space’.