n.
- the part of the land adjoining or near the sea.
- the easy movement of a vehicle without the use of power.
v.
- (of a vehicle) move easily without using power.
▸be successful with little effort:
they coasted to victory.
- sail along the coast.
Phrase
- the coast is clear
there is no danger of being observed or caught.
Derivative
- coastal adj.
- coastwise adj. & adv.
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘side of the body’), from OFr. coste (n.), costeier (v.), from L. costa ‘rib, flank, side’.