chases

Noun

chase (countable and uncountable, plural chases)

1. The act of one who chases another; a pursuit.
2. A hunt; the act of hunting; the pursuit of game.
   • He was a good shot and passionately fond of the chase, and used to spend many hours in the neighbouring woods after the harts and the wild sows.1828, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, volume II, London: William Harrison Ainsworth, page 58
3. (uncountable) A children's game where one player chases another.
   • Some children like to be caught when playing chase, and others do not.1996, Marla Pender McGhee, Quick & Fun Learning Activities for 1 Year Olds, page 25
4. (UK) A large country estate where game may be shot or hunted.
   • Outside, the stately oaks, rooted for ages in the green ground which has never known ploughshare, but was still a chase when kings rode to battle with sword and shield and rode a-hunting with bow and arrow, bear witness to his greatness.1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, chapter 14, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC
5. Anything being chased, especially a vessel in time of war.
6. (obsolete) A wild animal that is hunted.
   • As touching the Harte and such other light chases or beasts of Uenerie, the huntesmen on horsebacke may followe theyr houndes alwayes by the same wayes that they saw him passe ouer,1575, George Gascoigne, chapter 40, in The Noble Arte of Venerie of Hunting, London: Christopher Barker, page 111

   Synonyms:

   game

See all 42 meanings of chase