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n. 1. a. A chosen pursuit; a profession or occupation. b. The general course or progression of one's working life or one's professional achievements: an officer with a distinguished career; a teacher in the midst of a long career. 2. A path or course, as of the sun through the heavens. 3. Speed: "My hasting days fly on with full career" (John Milton). adj. Doing what one does as a permanent occupation or lifework: career diplomats; a career criminal. intr.v. ca·reered, ca·reer·ing, ca·reers To move forward at high speed, often with minimal control: "that lordly car ... How smoothly it ran. In what style they had come careering along the country roads!" (James Joyce). [French carrière, from Old French, racecourse, from Old Provençal carriera, street, from Medieval Latin (via) carrāria, (road) for carts, feminine of carrārius, from Latin carrus, a Gallic type of wagon; see kers- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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