Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RACE, n.² [D. ras; Sw. resa, to go; Dan. rejse, a going or course; L. gradior, gressus, with the prefix g; Ir. ratha, a running; reatham, to run; W. graz, a step, from rhaz, a going; allied to W. rhêd, a race; rhedu, to run, to race; allied to Eng. ride. See Class Rd, No. 5, and 9.]

1. A running; a rapid course or motion, either on the feet, on horseback or in a carriage, &c.; particularly, a contest in running; a running in competition for a prize. The race was one of the exercises of the Grecian games. – Encyc. I wield the gauntlet and I run the race. – Pope.
2. Any running with speed. The flight of many birds is swifter than the race of any beast. – Bacon.
3. A progress; a course; a movement or progression of any kind. My race of glory run. – Pope. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us. – Heb. xii.
4. Course; train; process; as, the prosecution and race of the war. [Not now used.] Bacon.
5. A strong or rapid current of water, or the channel or passage for such a current; as, a mill-race.
6. By way of distinction, a contest in the running of horses; generally in the plural. The races commence in October.