/kɔ:s ||; kɔrs/noun1 [C] a course (in/on sth) a complete series of lessons or studies 课程: I've decided to enrol on a computer course. 我已决定报名参加计算机课程。I'm going to take/do a course in self-defence. 我要去学习自恒术课程。
2 [C,U] the route or direction that sth, especially an aircraft, ship or river, takes 航道；航向；河道: The hijackers forced the captain to change course and head for Cuba. 劫机者强迫机长改变航向，驶往古巴。to be on/off course(= going in the right/wrong direction) 朝正确╱错误的方向走 (figurative 比喻) I'm on course (= making the right amount of progress) to finish this work by the end of the week. 我这项工作进展顺利，周末可以完成。The road follows the course of the river. 这条路顺着河道延伸。
3 (also course of action) [C] a way of dealing with a particular situation 行动方针；做法: In that situation resignation was the only course open to him. 在那种情况下，他只得辞职。
4 [sing] the development of sth over a period of time 经过；发展过程: events that changed the course of history 改变历史进程的事件In the normal course of events (= the way things normally happen) such problems do not arise. 在正常情况下，这些问题是不会出现的。
5 [C] the first, second, third, etc separate part of a meal 一道菜: a three-course lunch 有三道菜的午餐I had chicken for the main course. 我吃的主菜是鸡。
6 [C] an area where golf is played or where certain types of race take place 高尔夫球场；赛马等场地: a golf course 高尔夫球场a racecourse 赛马场
7 [C] a course (of sth) a series of medical treatments 疗程: The doctor put her on a course of tablets. 医生给她一个疗程的药片吃。
be on a collision course (with sb/sth)→
COLLISION during sth 在某事物进行期间:
He mentioned it in the course of conversation. 他在谈话过程中提及那事。 in the course of time when enough time has passed; eventually 最终；总有一天
in due course→
DUE¹
a matter of course→
MATTER¹
of course naturally; certainly 自然；当然:
Of course, having children has changed their lives a lot. 有了孩子自然大大改变了他们的生活。‘Can I use your phone?’ ‘Of course (you can).’ “我可以借用你的电话吗？”“你随便用吧。”‘You're not annoyed with me, are you?’ ‘Of course (I'm) not.’ “你不是在生我的气吧？”“当然不是。”