Pāçe1, n.
n. [Fr. & Pr. pas, O. Fr. pais, Sp. paso, Pg. & It. passo, from Lat. passus, a step, pace, originally a stretching out of the feet in walking; from pandere, passum, to spread, stretch.]
Sense 1. A step; especially, the space included between the two feet in walking, usually estimated at two and a half linear feet; often, in measuring distances by stepping, the space of one fifth of a rod or three and three tenths feet.
Sense 2. A single movement of the foot in walking; a step.
Sense 3. Manner of walking; gait; degree of celerity in walking; as, a slow or quick pace.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day. Shak.
Sense 4. Movement or act in business; step. [Rare.]
The first pace necessary for his majesty to make is to fall into confidence with Spain. Temple.
Sense 5. A mode of stepping among horses, in which the legs on the same side are lifted together; amble.
They rode, but authors having not Determined whether pace or trot. Hudibras.
Sense 6. A part of a floor elevated slightly above the rest; a dais. [Prov. Eng.]
Geometrical pace, the space between the spot where one foot is set down to that where the same foot is again set down, loosely estimated at five feet, or by some at four feet and two fifths. [Obs.] — To keep or hold pace with, to keep up with; to go or move as fast as. “In intellect and attainments he kept pace with his age.” Southey.