pret. ran or run; pp. run.

To move or pass in almost any manner, as on the feet or on wheels. Men and other animals run on their feet; carriages run on wheels, and wheels run on their axle-trees.

To move or pass on the feet with celerity or rapidity, by leaps or long quick steps; as, men and quadrupeds run when in haste.

To use the legs in moving; to step; as, children run alone or run about.

To move in a hurry. The priest and people run about.

To proceed along the surface; to extend; to spread; as, the fire runs over a field or forest. The fire ran along upon the ground. Exodus 9:23.

To rush with violence; as, a ship runs against a rock; or one ship runs against another.

To move or pass on the water; to sail; as, ships run regularly between New York and Liverpool. Before a storm, run into a harbor, or under the lee of the land. The ship has run ten knots an hour.

To contend in a race; as, men or horses run for a prize.

To flee for escape. When General Wolfe was dying, an officer standing by him exclaimed, see how they run. Who run? said the dying hero. The enemy, said the officer. Then I die happy, said the general.

To depart privately; to steal away. My conscience will serve me to run from this Jew, my master.

To flow in any manner, slowly or rapidly; to move or pass; as a fluid. Rivers run to the ocean or to lakes. The Connecticut runs on sand, and its water is remarkably pure. The tide runs two or three miles an hour. Tears run down the cheeks.

To emit; to let flow. I command that the conduit run nothing but claret. Rivers run potable gold. But this form of expression is elliptical, with being omitted; “rivers run with potable gold.” .

To be liquid or fluid. As wax dissolves, as ice begin to run - .

To be fusible; to melt. Sussex iron ores run freely in the fire.

To fuse; to melt. Your iron must not burn in the fire, that is, run or melt, for then it will be brittle.

To turn; as, a wheel runs on an axis or on a pivot.

To pass; to proceed; as, to run through a course of business; to run through life; to run in a circle or a line; to run through all degrees of promotion.

To flow, as words, language or periods. The lines run smoothly.

To pass, as time. As fast as our time runs, we should be glad in most part of our lives that it ran much faster.