CHASE, v.t. 1. Literally to drive, urge, press forward with vehemence; hence, to pursue for the purpose of taking, as game; to hunt.2. To purse, or drive, as a defeated or flying enemy. Lev. 26:7. Deut. 32:30.3. To follow or pursue, as an object of desire; to pursue for the purpose of taking; as, to chase a ship.4. To drive; to pursue.Chased by their brothers endless malice.To chase away, is to compel to depart; to disperse.To chase metals. [See Enchase.]CHASE, n. 1. Vehement pursuit; a running or driving after; as game, in hunting; a flying enemy, in war; a ship a sea, &c.2. Pursuit with an ardent desire to obtain, as pleasure, profit, fame, &c.; earnest seeking.3. That which may be chased; that which is usually taken by chase; as beasts of chase.4. That which is pursued or hunted; as, seek some other chase. So at sea, a ship chased is called the chase.5. In law, a driving of cattle to or from a place.6. An open ground, or place of retreat for deer and other wild beasts; differing from a forest, which is not private property and is invested with privileges, and from a park which is inclosed. A chase is private property, and well stored with wild beasts or game.7. An iron frame used by printers to confine types, when set in columns.8. Chase of a gun, is the whole length of the bore.9. A term in the game of tennis.Chase guns, in a ship of war, guns used in chasing an enemy or in defending a ship when chased. These have their ports at the head or stern. A gun at the head is called a bow-chase; at the stern, a stern-chase.
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