run down
Use Run down in a sentence
adjective
1.
fatigued; weary; exhausted.
2.
in a state of poor health: He was in a run-down condition from months of overwork.
3.
in neglected condition; fallen into disrepair: a run-down house.
4.
(of a spring-operated device) not running because it is unwound.
Origin:
1675–85; adj. use of verb phrase run down
1675–85; adj. use of verb phrase run down
Synonyms
3. seedy, tacky, shabby, deteriorated.
3. seedy, tacky, shabby, deteriorated.
00:10
Run down
is always a great word to know.
So is ort. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
verb (used without object)
1.
to go quickly by moving the legs more rapidly than at a walk and in such a manner that for an instant in each step all or both feet are off the ground.
2.
to move with haste; act quickly: Run upstairs and get the iodine.
3.
to depart quickly; take to flight; flee or escape: to run from danger.
4.
to have recourse for aid, support, comfort, etc.: He shouldn't run to his parents with every little problem.
5.
to make a quick trip or informal visit for a short stay at a place: to run up to New York; I will run over to see you after dinner.
6.
to go around, rove, or ramble without restraint (often followed by about ): to run about in the park.
7.
to move, roll, or progress from momentum or from being hurled, kicked, or otherwise propelled: The wheel ran over the curb and into the street.
8.
Sports.
a.
to take part in a race or contest.
b.
to finish in a race or contest in a certain numerical position: The horse ran second.
9.
to be or campaign as a candidate for election.
10.
to migrate, as fish: to run in huge shoals.
11.
to migrate upstream or inshore from deep water to spawn.
12.
to move under continuing power or force, as of the wind, a motor, etc.: The car ran along the highway.
13.
(of a ship, automobile, etc.) to be sailed or driven from a safe, proper, or given route: The ship ran aground.
14.
to ply between places, as a vessel or conveyance: This bus runs between New Haven and Hartford.
15.
to move, glide, turn, rotate, or pass easily, freely, or smoothly: A rope runs in a pulley.
16.
to creep, trail, or climb, as growing vines: The ivy ran up the side of the house.
17.
to come undone or to unravel, as stitches or a fabric: these stockings run easily.
18.
to flow, as a liquid: Let the water run before you drink it.
19.
to flow along, especially strongly, as a stream or the sea: The rapids ran over the rocks.
20.
to empty or transfer contents: The river ran into the sea.
21.
to appear, occur, or exist within a certain limited range; include a specific range of variations (usually followed by from ): Your work runs from fair to bad.
22.
to melt and flow or drip: Wax ran down the burning candle.
23.
Golf. (of a golf ball) to bounce or roll along the ground just after landing from a stroke: The ball struck the green and ran seven feet past the hole.
24.
to spread on being applied to a surface, as a liquid: Fresh paint ran over the window molding onto the pane.
25.
to spread over a material when exposed to moisture: The dyes in this fabric are guaranteed not to run in washing.
26.
to undergo a spreading of colors: materials that run when washed.
27.
to flow forth as a discharge: Tears ran from her eyes.
28.
to discharge or give passage to a liquid or fluid: Her eyes ran with tears.
29.
to operate or function: How does your new watch run? Cars run on gasoline.
30.
to be in operation: the noise of a dishwasher running.
31.
to continue in operation: The furnace runs most of the day.
32.
to elapse; pass or go by, as time: Time is running out, and we must hurry.
33.
to pass into or meet with a certain state or condition: to run into debt; to run into trouble.
34.
to get or become: The well ran dry.
35.
to amount; total: The bill ran to $100.
36.
to be stated or worded in a certain manner: The minutes of the last meeting run as follows.
37.
Commerce.
a.
to accumulate, follow, or become payable in due course, as interest on a debt: Your interest runs from January 1st to December 31st.
b.
to make many withdrawals in rapid succession, as from a bank.
38.
Law.
a.
to have legal force or effect, as a writ.
b.
to continue to operate.
c.
to go along with: The easement runs with the land.
39.
to proceed, continue, or go: The story runs for eight pages.
40.
to extend in a given direction: This road runs north to Litchfield.
41.
to extend for a certain length: The unpaved section runs for eight miles.
42.
to extend over a given surface: Shelves ran from floor to ceiling.
43.
to be printed, as on a printing press: Two thousand copies ran before the typo was caught.
44.
to appear in print or be published as a story, photograph, etc., in a newspaper, magazine, or the like: The account ran in all the papers. The political cartoon always runs on the editorial page.
45.
to be performed on a stage or be played continually, as a play: The play ran for two years.
46.
to occur or take place continuously, as a movie: The picture runs for two hours.
47.
to pass quickly: A thought ran through his mind. Her eyes ran over the room.
48.
to be disseminated, circulated, or spread rapidly: The news of his promotion ran all over town.
49.
to continue or return persistently; recur: The old tune ran through his mind all day.
50.
to have or tend to have or produce a specified character, quality, form, etc.: This novel runs to long descriptions. Her sister is fat too, but the family runs to being overweight.
51.
to be or continue to be of a certain or average size, number, etc.: Potatoes are running large this year.
52.
Nautical. to sail before the wind.
verb (used with object)
53.
to move or run along (a surface, way, path, etc.): Every morning he ran the dirt path around the reservoir to keep in condition. She ran her fingers over the keyboard.
54.
to traverse (a distance) in running: He ran the mile in just over four minutes.
55.
to perform, compete in, or accomplish by or as by running: to run a race; to run an errand.
56.
to go about freely on or in without supervision: permitting children to run the streets.
57.
to ride or cause to gallop: to run a horse across a field.
58.
to enter in a race: He ran his best filly in the Florida Derby.
59.
to bring into a certain state by running: He ran himself out of breath trying to keep pace.
60.
to trace, track, pursue or hunt, as game: to run deer on foot.
61.
to drive (an animal) or cause to go by pursuing: to run a fox to cover; to run the stallion into the barn.
62.
to leave, flee, or escape from: He ran town before the robbery was discovered.
63.
to cause to ply between places, as a vessel or conveyance: to run a ferry between New York and New Jersey.
64.
to convey or transport, as in a vessel or vehicle: I'll run you home in my car.
65.
to cause to pass quickly: He ran his eyes over the letter. She ran a comb through her hair.
66.
to get past or through: to run a blockade.
67.
(of drivers or cyclists) to disregard (a red or amber traffic light) and continue ahead without stopping.
68.
to smuggle (contraband goods): to run guns across the border.
69.
to work, operate, or drive: Can you run a tractor?
70.
to publish, print, or make copies of, as on a printing press (sometimes followed by off ): Run off 3000 of these posters. The newspapers ran the story on page one.
71.
to process, refine, manufacture, or subject to an analysis or treatment: The doctor wanted to run a blood test. The factory ran 50,000 gallons of paint a day.
72.
to keep operating or going, as a machine: They ran the presses 24 hours a day.
73.
to keep (a motor) idling for an indefinite period: On cold days he would run the car motor to prevent stalling.
74.
to allow (a ship, automobile, etc.) to depart from a safe, proper, or given route, as by negligence or error: He ran the ship aground. She ran the car up on the curb.
75.
to sponsor, support, or nominate (a person) as a candidate for election.
76.
to manage or conduct: to run a business; to run one's own life.
77.
Computers. to process (the instructions in a program) by computer.
78.
(in some games, as billiards) to continue or complete a series of successful strokes, shots, or the like.
79.
Cards. to lead a series (of one's assured tricks or winners in a given suit): He ran the heart suit before leading spades.
80.
to expose oneself to or be exposed to (a chance, risk, etc.): Through his habitual lateness he ran the danger of being fired.
81.
to cause (a liquid) to flow: to run the water for a bath.
82.
to fill (a tub or bath) with water: She ran a hot tub for him.
83.
to give forth or flow with (a liquid); pour forth or discharge: The well ran 500 barrels of oil daily.
84.
to charge (an item or items) as on a charge account or to accumulate (bills) to be paid all at one time: He ran a large monthly tab at the club.
85.
to cause to move easily, freely, or smoothly: to run a rope in a pulley.
86.
Golf. to cause (a golf ball) to move forward along the ground after landing from a stroke: He ran his ball seven feet past the hole.
87.
to sew or use a running stitch: to run a seam.
88.
to cause stitches in (a garment or fabric) to unravel or come undone: to run a stocking on a protruding nail.
89.
to bring, lead, or force into a certain state or condition: He ran his troops into an ambush. They ran themselves into debt.
90.
to drive, force, or thrust: to run a nail into a board; to run one's head against a wall; to run one's hand into one's pocket.
91.
to graze; pasture: They run sixty head of cattle on their ranch.
92.
to extend (something) in a particular direction or to a given point or place: to run a partition across a room; to run a telephone cable from Boston to Buffalo.
93.
Carpentry. to make (millwork) from boards.
94.
to cause to fuse and flow, as metal for casting in a mold.
95.
96.
to cost (an amount or approximate amount): This watch runs $30.
97.
to cost (a person) an amount or approximate amount: The car repair will run you a couple of hundred at least.
noun
98.
an act or instance, or a period of running: a five-minute run before breakfast.
99.
a hurrying to or from some point, as on an errand: a run to reach the store before it closes.
100.
a fleeing, especially in great haste; flight: a run from the police who were hot on his trail.
101.
a running pace: The boys set out at a run.
102.
an act or instance or a period of moving rapidly, as in a boat or automobile: a run to shore before the storm.
103.
distance covered, as by racing, running, or during a trip: a three-mile run.
104.
an act or instance or a period of traveling or moving between two places; trip: a truck on its daily run from farm to market; a nonstop run from Louisville to Memphis.
105.
Computers. a single instance of carrying out the sequence of instructions in a program.
106.
Golf. the distance that a golf ball moves along the ground after landing from a stroke: He got a seven-foot run with his chip shot.
107.
a quick trip for a short stay at a place: to take a run up to New York.
108.
109.
110.
111.
an interval or period during which something, as a machine, operates or continues operating: They kept each press in the plant on a 14-hour run.
112.
the amount of anything produced in such a period: a daily run of 400,000 gallons of paint.
113.
114.
a line or place in knitted work where a series of stitches have slipped out or come undone: a run in a stocking.
115.
onward movement, development, progress, course, etc.: the run of our business from a small store to a large chain.
116.
the direction of something or of its component elements: the run of the grain of wood.
117.
the particular course, order, or tendency of something: the normal run of events.
118.
freedom to move around in, pass through, or use something: to allow one's guests the run of the house.
119.
any rapid or easy course of progress: a run from trainee to supervisor.
120.
a continuous series of performances, as of a play: a long run on Broadway.
121.
an uninterrupted course of some state or condition; a spell: a run of good luck; a run of good weather.
122.
a continuous extent of something, as a vein of ore.
123.
an uninterrupted series or sequence of things, events, etc.: a run of 30 scoreless innings.
124.
a sequence of cards in a given suit: a heart run.
125.
Cribbage. a sequence of three or more cards in consecutive denominations without regard to suits.
126.
any extensive continued demand, sale, or the like: a run on umbrellas on a rainy day.
127.
a series of sudden and urgent demands for payment, as on a bank.
128.
a period of being in demand or favor with the public: Her last book had a briefer run than her first.
129.
a period during which liquid flows: They kept each oil well on an eight-hour run.
130.
the amount that flows during such a period: a run of 500 barrels a day.
131.
a small stream; brook; rivulet.
132.
a flow or rush, as of water: The snow melting on the mountains caused a run of water into the valley.
133.
a kind or class, as of goods: a superior run of blouses.
134.
the typical, ordinary, or average kind: The run of 19th-century novels tends to be of a sociological nature.
135.
an inclined course, as on a slope, designed or used for a specific purpose: a bobsled run; a run for training beginning skiers.
136.
a fairly large enclosure within which domestic animals may move about freely; runway: a chicken run.
137.
Australian. a large sheep ranch or area of grazing land.
138.
the beaten track or usual trail used by deer or other wild animals; runway.
139.
a trough or pipe for water or the like.
140.
the movement of a number of fish upstream or inshore from deep water.
141.
large numbers of fish in motion, especially inshore from deep water or up a river for spawning: a run of salmon.
142.
a number of animals moving together.
143.
Music. a rapid succession of tones; roulade.
144.
Building Trades.
a.
the horizontal distance between the face of a wall and the ridge of a roof.
b.
the distance between the first and last risers of a flight of steps or staircase.
c.
the horizontal distance between successive risers on a flight of steps or a staircase.
145.
Baseball. the score unit made by safely running around all the bases and reaching home plate.
146.
a series of successful shots, strokes, or the like, in a game.
147.
Nautical. the immersed portion of a hull abaft the middle body ( opposed to entrance ).
148.
adjective
Verb phrases 149.
melted or liquefied: run butter.
150.
poured in a melted state; run into and cast in a mold: run bronze.
151.
run across, to meet or find accidentally: She ran across an old friend at the party. He ran across her name in the phone book.
152.
run after,
a.
to follow; chase: The dog ran after the burglar.
b.
to pursue or court the affections of, especially in an aggressive manner: He ran after her until she agreed to marry him.
c.
to attempt to become friendly with or part of the society of: He runs after the country-club set.
153.
run along, to leave; go on one's way: I have to run along now, but I'll see you tonight. Run along—can't you see I'm busy?
154.
run around,
a.
(often followed by with ) to socialize; consort with: She runs around with the strangest people.
b.
to be unfaithful to one's spouse or lover: It was common knowledge that he was running around.
155.
run away,
a.
to flee or escape; leave a place of confinement or control with the intention of never returning: He ran away from home three times.
b.
Nautical. to haul on a line by walking or running steadily.
156.
run away with,
a.
to go away with, especially to elope with: She ran away with a sailor.
b.
to abscond with; steal: to run away with some valuable jewelry.
c.
to surpass others in; be outstanding in: to run away with academic honors.
d.
to overwhelm; get the better of: Sometimes his enthusiasm runs away with him.
157.
run down,
a.
to strike and fell or overturn, especially to drive a vehicle into (someone): to run down an innocent pedestrian.
b.
to pursue until captured; chase: The detective swore that he would run down the criminal.
c.
to peruse; review: His eyes ran down the front row and stopped suddenly.
d.
to cease operation; stop: My watch has run down.
e.
to speak disparagingly of; criticize severely: The students were always running down their math teacher.
f.
to search out; trace; find: to run down information.
g.
Baseball. to tag out (a base runner) between bases.
h.
Nautical. to collide with and sink (another vessel).
i.
Nautical. to sail closely parallel to (a coast).
158.
run in,
a.
to visit casually: If I'm in the neighborhood, I may run in for a few minutes.
b.
to include in a text, as something to be inserted.
c.
Slang. to arrest; take to jail: They ran him in for burglary.
d.
Printing. to add (matter) to text without indenting.
e.
to break in (new machinery).
159.
run into,
a.
to crash into; collide with: She was so sleepy that she ran into a lamppost.
b.
to meet accidentally: You never know whom you'll run into at a big party.
c.
to amount to; total: losses that ran into millions of dollars.
d.
to succeed; follow: One year ran into the next, and still there was no change.
e.
to experience; encounter: The project ran into difficulty.
160.
run in with, Nautical. to sail close to (a coast, vessel, etc.).
161.
run off,
a.
to leave quickly; depart.
b.
to create or perform rapidly or easily: to run off a new song.
c.
to determine the winner of (a contest, race, etc.) by a runoff.
d.
to drive away; expel: to run someone off one's property.
e.
to print or otherwise duplicate: Please run off 500 copies.
162.
run off with,
a.
to abscond with (something); steal or borrow; take: He ran off with the money. Who ran off with the pencil sharpener?
b.
to elope: I hear she ran off with the Smith boy.
163.
run on,
a.
to continue without interruption: The account that he gave ran on at some length.
b.
Printing. to add (matter) to text without indenting.
c.
to add something, as at the end of a text: to run on an adverb to a dictionary entry.
164.
run out,
a.
to terminate; expire: My subscription ran out last month. Time ran out before we could score another touchdown.
b.
to become used up: His money soon ran out.
c.
to drive out; expel: They want to run him out of the country.
165.
run out of, to exhaust a quantity or supply of: She couldn't bake a cake because she had run out of sugar.
166.
run out on, to withdraw one's support from; abandon: No one could accuse him of running out on his friends.
167.
run over,
a.
to hit and knock down, especially with a vehicle: She cried inconsolably when her cat was run over by a car.
b.
to go beyond; exceed: His speech ran over the time limit.
c.
to repeat; review: We'll run over that song again.
d.
to overflow, as a vessel.
168.
run through,
a.
to pierce or stab, as with a sword: to run someone through.
b.
to consume or use up recklessly; squander: to run through a fortune.
c.
to practice, review, or rehearse quickly or informally: to run through a scene.
169.
run up,
a.
to sew rapidly: She ran up some curtains.
b.
to amass; incur: running up huge debts.
c.
to cause to increase; raise: to run up costs unnecessarily.
d.
to build, especially hurriedly: They are tearing down old tenement blocks and running up skyscrapers.
170.
run with, Informal.
a.
to proceed or go ahead with: If the stockholders like the idea, we'll run with it.
b.
to carry out with enthusiasm or speed.
171.
a run for one's money,
a.
close or keen competition: The out-of-town team gave us a run for our money.
b.
enjoyment or profit in return for one's expense: This may not be the best tool kit, but it will give you a run for your money.
172.
in the long run, in the course of long experience; in the end: Retribution will come, in the long run.
173.
in the short run, as an immediate or temporary outcome: Recession may be averted in the short run if policy changes are made now.
174.
on the run,
a.
moving quickly; hurrying about: He's so busy, he's always on the run.
b.
while running or in a hurry: I usually eat breakfast on the run.
c.
escaping or hiding from the police: He was on the run for two years.
175.
run afoul of,
a.
Nautical. to collide with so as to cause damage and entanglement.
b.
to incur or become subject to the wrath or ill will of: to run afoul of the law; He argued with his father and has run afoul of him ever since.
176.
run for it, to hurry away or flee, especially to evade something: You had better run for it before anyone else arrives.
177.
run in place,
a.
to go through the motions of running without leaving one's original place.
b.
to exist or work without noticeable change, progress, or improvement.
178.
run out of gas, Informal.
a.
to exhaust or lose one's energy, enthusiasm, etc.: After the first game of tennis, I ran out of gas and had to rest.
b.
to falter for lack of impetus, ideas, capital, etc.: The economic recovery seems to be running out of gas.
179.
run scared, to be thrown into a state of fear or uncertainty because of a perceived threat; be apprehensive about survival or the future: Many businesses are running scared because of increasing competition.
Origin:
before 900; (v.) Middle English rinnen, rennen, partly < Old Norse rinna, renna, partly continuing Old English rinnan; cognate with German rinnen; form run orig. past participle, later extended to present tense; (noun and adj.) derivative of the v.
before 900; (v.) Middle English rinnen, rennen, partly < Old Norse rinna, renna, partly continuing Old English rinnan; cognate with German rinnen; form run orig. past participle, later extended to present tense; (noun and adj.) derivative of the v.
Related forms
run·na·ble, adjective
run·na·bil·i·ty, noun
in·ter·run, verb (used with object), in·ter·ran, in·ter·run, in·ter·run·ning.
non·run, adjective
un·run, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To run down
Collins
World English Dictionary
run (rʌn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (usually foll by to) (often foll by to) , runs, running, ran, run | |
| 1. | (intr) |
| a. (of a two-legged creature) to move on foot at a rapid pace so that both feet are off the ground together for part of each stride | |
| b. (of a four-legged creature) to move at a rapid gait; gallop or canter | |
| 2. | (tr) to pass over (a distance, route, etc) in running: to run a mile; run a race |
| 3. | (intr) to run in or finish a race as specified, esp in a particular position: John is running third |
| 4. | (tr) to perform or accomplish by or as if by running: to run an errand |
| 5. | (intr) to flee; run away: they took to their heels and ran |
| 6. | (tr) to bring into a specified state or condition by running: to run oneself to a standstill |
| 7. | (tr) to track down or hunt (an animal): to run a fox to earth |
| 8. | (intr) to move about freely and without restraint: the children are running in the garden |
| 9. | to go or have recourse, as for aid, assistance, etc: he's always running to his mother when he's in trouble |
| 10. | (tr) to set (animals) loose on (a field or tract of land) so as to graze freely |
| 11. | (intr |
| 12. | to move quickly and easily on wheels by rolling, or in any of certain other ways: a ball running along the ground; a sledge running over snow |
| 13. | to move or cause to move with a specified result or in a specified manner: to run a ship aground; to run into a tree |
| 14. | ( |
| 15. | (tr |
| 16. | (tr) to drive or maintain and operate (a vehicle) |
| 17. | (tr) to give a lift to (someone) in a vehicle; transport: he ran her to the railway station |
| 18. | to ply or cause to ply between places on a route: the bus runs from Piccadilly to Golders Green |
| 19. | to operate or be operated; function or cause to function: the engine is running smoothly |
| 20. | (tr) to perform or carry out: to run tests |
| 21. | (tr) to be in charge of; manage: to run a company |
| 22. | to extend or continue or cause to extend or continue in a particular direction, for a particular duration or distance, etc: the road runs north; the play ran for two years; the months ran into years |
| 23. | (intr) law |
| a. to have legal force or effect: the lease runs for two more years | |
| b. to accompany; be an integral part of or adjunct to: an easement runs with the land | |
| 24. | (tr) to be subjected to, be affected by, or incur: to run a risk; run a temperature |
| 25. | to be characterized (by); tend or incline: her taste runs to extravagant hats; to run to fat |
| 26. | (intr) to recur persistently or be inherent: red hair runs in my family |
| 27. | to cause or allow (liquids) to flow or (of liquids) to flow, esp in a manner specified: water ran from the broken pipe; the well has run dry |
| 28. | (intr) to melt and flow: the wax grew hot and began to run |
| 29. | metallurgy |
| a. to melt or fuse | |
| b. (tr) to mould or cast (molten metal): to run lead into ingots | |
| 30. | (intr) (of waves, tides, rivers, etc) to rise high, surge, or be at a specified height: a high sea was running that night |
| 31. | (intr) to be diffused: the colours in my dress ran when I washed it |
| 32. | (intr) (of stitches) to unravel or come undone or (of a garment) to have stitches unravel or come undone: if you pull that thread the whole seam will run |
| 33. | to sew (an article) with continuous stitches |
| 34. | (intr) (of growing vines, creepers, etc) to trail, spread, or climb: ivy running over a cottage wall |
| 35. | (intr) to spread or circulate quickly: a rumour ran through the town |
| 36. | (intr) to be stated or reported: his story runs as follows |
| 37. | to publish or print or be published or printed in a newspaper, magazine, etc: they ran his story in the next issue |
| 38. | chiefly (US), (Canadian) ( |
| 39. | (tr) to get past or through; evade: to run a blockade |
| 40. | (tr) to deal in (arms, etc), esp by importing illegally: he runs guns for the rebels |
| 41. | nautical to sail (a vessel, esp a sailing vessel) or (of such a vessel) to be sailed with the wind coming from astern |
| 42. | (intr) of fish |
| a. to migrate upstream from the sea, esp in order to spawn | |
| b. to swim rapidly in any area of water, esp during migration | |
| 43. | (tr) cricket to score (a run or number of runs) by hitting the ball and running between the wickets |
| 44. | (tr) billiards, snooker to make (a number of successful shots) in sequence |
| 45. | (tr) golf to hit (the ball) so that it rolls along the ground |
| 46. | (tr) bridge to cash (all one's winning cards in a long suit) successively |
| 47. | run a bath to turn on the taps to fill a bath with water for bathing oneself |
| 48. | run close to compete closely with; present a serious challenge to: he got the job, but a younger man ran him close |
| 49. | informal run for it to attempt to escape from arrest, etc, by running |
| 50. | be run off one's feet to be extremely busy |
| —n | |
| 51. | an act, instance, or period of running |
| 52. | a gait, pace, or motion faster than a walk: she went off at a run |
| 53. | a distance covered by running or a period of running: a run of ten miles |
| 54. | an act, instance, or period of travelling in a vehicle, esp for pleasure: to go for a run in the car |
| 55. | free and unrestricted access: we had the run of the house and garden for the whole summer |
| 56. | a. a period of time during which a machine, computer, etc, operates |
| b. the amount of work performed in such a period | |
| 57. | a continuous or sustained period: a run of good luck |
| 58. | a continuous sequence of performances: the play had a good run |
| 59. | cards a sequence of winning cards in one suit, usually more than five: a run of spades |
| 60. | tendency or trend: the run of the market |
| 61. | type, class, or category: the usual run of graduates |
| 62. | ( |
| 63. | a series of unravelled stitches, esp in stockings or tights; ladder |
| 64. | the characteristic pattern or direction of something: the run of the grain on a piece of wood |
| 65. | a. a continuous vein or seam of ore, coal, etc |
| b. the direction in which it lies | |
| 66. | a. a period during which water or other liquid flows |
| b. the amount of such a flow | |
| 67. | a pipe, channel, etc, through which water or other liquid flows |
| 68. | (US) a small stream |
| 69. | green run blue run red run See also black run a steeply inclined pathway or course, esp a snow-covered one used for skiing and bobsleigh racing |
| 70. | an enclosure for domestic fowls or other animals, in which they have free movement: a chicken run |
| 71. | (esp in Australia and New Zealand) a tract of land for grazing livestock |
| 72. | a track or area frequented by animals: a deer run; a rabbit run |
| 73. | a group of animals of the same species moving together |
| 74. | the migration of fish upstream in order to spawn |
| 75. | nautical |
| a. the tack of a sailing vessel in which the wind comes from astern | |
| b. part of the hull of a vessel near the stern where it curves upwards and inwards | |
| 76. | military |
| a. a mission in a warplane | |
| b. short for bombing run | |
| 77. | the movement of an aircraft along the ground during takeoff or landing |
| 78. | music a rapid scalelike passage of notes |
| 79. | cricket extra Compare boundary a score of one, normally achieved by both batsmen running from one end of the wicket to the other after one of them has hit the ball |
| 80. | baseball an instance of a batter touching all four bases safely, thereby scoring |
| 81. | golf the distance that a ball rolls after hitting the ground |
| 82. | informal a run for one's money |
| a. a strong challenge or close competition | |
| b. pleasure derived from an activity | |
| 83. | in the long run as the eventual outcome of a sequence of events, actions, etc; ultimately |
| 84. | in the short run as the immediate outcome of a series of events, etc |
| 85. | on the run |
| a. escaping from arrest; fugitive | |
| b. in rapid flight; retreating: the enemy is on the run | |
| c. hurrying from place to place: she's always on the run | |
| 86. | slang the runs diarrhoea |
| [Old English runnen, past participle of (ge)rinnan; related to Old Frisian, Old Norse rinna, Old Saxon, Gothic, Old High German rinnan] | |
| run down | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to cause or allow (an engine, battery, etc) to lose power gradually and cease to function or (of an engine, battery, etc) to do this |
| 2. | to decline or reduce in number or size: the firm ran down its sales force |
| 3. | (tr, usually passive) to tire, sap the strength of, or exhaust: he was thoroughly run down and needed a holiday |
| 4. | (tr) to criticize adversely; denigrate; decry |
| 5. | (tr) to hit and knock to the ground with a moving vehicle |
| 6. | nautical |
| a. (tr) to collide with and cause to sink | |
| b. (intr, preposition) to navigate so as to move parallel to (a coast) | |
| 7. | (tr) to pursue and find or capture: to run down a fugitive |
| 8. | (tr) to read swiftly or perfunctorily: he ran down their list of complaints |
| —adj | |
| 9. | tired; exhausted |
| 10. | worn-out, shabby, or dilapidated |
| —n | |
| 11. | a brief review, résumé, or summary |
| 12. | the process of a motor or mechanism coming gradually to a standstill after the source of power is removed |
| 13. | a reduction in number or size |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
run
the modern verb is a merger of two related O.E. words. The first is rinnan, irnan (strong, intransitive, pt. ran, pp. runnen), from P.Gmc. *renwanan (cf. M.Du. runnen, O.S., O.H.G., Goth. rinnan, Ger. rinnen "to flow, run"), both from PIE *ri-ne-a-, nasalized form of base *reie- "to flow, run" (see
Rhine). The sense of "cause to run" is from O.E. ærnan, earnan (weak, transitive, probably a metathesis of *rennan), from P.Gmc. *rannjanan, causative of the root *ren- "run." Of streams, etc., from c.1200; of machinery, from 1560s. Meaning "to be in charge of" is first attested 1861, originally Amer.Eng. Meaning "to seek office in an election" is from 1826, Amer.Eng. Phrase run for it "take flight" is attested from 1640s. Most figurative uses are from horseracing or hunting (cf to run (something) into the ground, 1836, Amer.Eng.), except (to feel) run down (1901) which is from clocks (in the lit. sense, 1761). To run across "meet" is attested from 1880. To run short "exhaust one's supply" is from 1752; to run out of in the same sense is from 1713.
run
"spell of running," mid-15c. (earlier ren, late 14c.), from run (v.). Sense of "small stream" first recorded 1580s, mostly Northern English dialect and Amer.Eng. Meaning "series or rush of demands on a bank, etc." is first recorded 1690s. Baseball sense is from 1856. Meaning
"single trip by a railroad train" is from 1857. Military aircraft sense is from 1916. Meaning "total number of copies printed" is from 1909. Meaning "tear in a knitted garment" is from 1922. Phrase a run for one's money is from 1874. Run-in "quarrel, confrontation" is from 1905.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary
run definition
|
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
run down
-
Stop because of lack of power or force, as in The alarm clock finally ran down. [Mid-1700s]
-
Make or be tired, cause to decline or be declined in health or vigor, as in His long illness ran him down, leaving him with no energy, or After that huge assignment his strength ran down. [First half of 1800s]
-
Collide with and knock over, as in The speeding motorist ran down a pedestrian. [Second half of 1500s]
-
Chase and capture, as in Police detectives ran down the suspects. [Second half of 1600s]
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Trace the source of, as in She ran down all the references at the library.
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Disparage, as in Don't run him down, he's a talented actor. [Second half of 1600s] Also see put down, def. 4.
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Also, . Look over, review, as in Let's run down the membership list again and see if we can pick a delegate, or She ran her eyes over the crowd, looking for her husband.
-
In baseball, tag out a runner between bases, as in We might have won but in the last inning they ran down two of our runners.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences
Shoes should be polished and not run down at the heels.
All you have to do is run down the field, without dropping it or allowing it to be knocked down, and flip it past the goalie.
Not so much as the run down, of course, but still enough to count.
Everything was taken out of the canoes, and they were run down in succession.
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