chase
UK[tʃeɪs]US[tʃeɪs]
v
to run after someone or something in order to catch them
v
to try hard to get something you want, such as a job, money, or success
n
an act of chasing someone or something
Etymology
the word "chase" entered english in the 13th century from the anglo-norman french "chacer," meaning "to hunt, pursue." this, in turn, evolved from vulgar latin "captiare," a frequentative form of the latin "capere," meaning "to take, seize." the semantic journey is direct and vivid: from the fundamental proto-indo-european concept of grasping (keh₂p-) to the latin act of seizing, which then specialized in old french into the sustained action of hunting or pursuing. the modern english meanings retain this core logic of persistent effort directed at capturing a fleeing target or a desired objective.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form derived from a single, tight anglo-norman root. it does not lend itself to segmentation into distinct, meaningful morphemes within its modern english spelling.
Examples
the dog loves to chase squirrels in the park.
many young people move to the city to chase their dreams.
the police car was involved in a high-speed chase.