Chase, n. [Cf. F. chasse, fr. chasser. See Chase, v.] 1. Vehement pursuit for the purpose of killing or capturing, as of an enemy, or game; an earnest seeking after any object greatly desired; the act or habit of hunting; a hunt. “This mad chase of fame.” Dryden.
You see this chase is hotly followed.
Shak.
2. That which is pursued or hunted.
Nay, Warwick, seek thee out some other chase,
For I myself must hunt this deer to death.
Shak.
3. An open hunting ground to which game resorts, and which is private property, thus differing from a forest, which is not private property, and from a park, which is inclosed. Sometimes written chace.
4. (Court Tennis) A division of the floor of a gallery, marked by a figure or otherwise; the spot where a ball falls, and between which and the dedans the adversary must drive his ball in order to gain a point.
Chase gun(Naut.), a cannon placed at the bow or stern of an armed vessel, and used when pursuing an enemy, or in defending the vessel when pursued. — Chase port(Naut.), a porthole from which a chase gun is fired. — Stern chase(Naut.), a chase in which the pursuing vessel follows directly in the wake of the vessel pursued.