pace

Everyday

1. A pace is one step, or the length of one step. tree →
2. Pace is how fast someone moves or how fast something happens. tree →
3. To pace is to walk up and down, often because you are worried. tree →
4. To pace yourself is to go at a speed you can keep up. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: a step used to measure distance, or a speed; «at a pace of», «paces long». In everyday life and sport: running at a steady pace, keeping pace with friends. In science: the pace of change, a heart's pace. In stories: «he paced the room», «ten paces to the treasure».

Examples

• The garden is 20 paces long. tree →
• He walks at a pace of 4 km an hour. tree →
• Each pace is about 1 meter. tree →
• She runs at a steady pace. tree →
• Pace yourself, or you will be tired before the end. tree →
• Count ten paces from the tree and dig. tree →
• Dad paced up and down, waiting for news. tree →
• Little brother could not keep pace with us. tree →
• Work at your own pace. tree →
• On the high-road the pace was quicker yet. tree →

Note

«Paces» can be a unit of length (steps). «At a pace of» gives a speed, so distance = pace × time. Trap: different people have different paces. «Keep pace with» means go as fast as. Runners often say pace in minutes per mile or per kilometre.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it is not used, but in the Prophets it means one step, as when David's men carried the ark six paces and then he offered a sacrifice.

Interpretation. The six paces are read as a sign of care and joy in carrying the ark, with a sacrifice offered at each short stage of the journey.

Examples

• And it was so, that when they that bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. (Prophets 2SA.6.13, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«Paces» can be a unit of length (steps). «At a pace of» gives a speed, so distance = pace × time. Trap: different people have different paces. «Keep pace with» means go as fast as. Runners often say pace in minutes per mile or per kilometre.