Psalms 19:5 Ecclesiastes 9:11. Various games were instituted among the Greeks and Romans, in honor of their gods, and with the design of training young men to personal vigor and activity, and to intrepidity and skill in war. These games were celebrated at stated places and times, with great pomp; renowned statesmen, legislators, and kings engaged in them; and it was deemed the highest of all honors to be crowned with a simple chaplet of laurel, olive, pine, or parsley, in the presence of the vast assemblage of witnesses who delighted to honor the victor.

The preparatory training was very severe, and every weakening indulgence was forbidden. Among the most famous games were those celebrated on the isthmus of Corinth, hence called the Isthmian games; and to these Paul alludes in his letters to Corinth, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. The foot race was a game of the first rank; other games were the chariot-race, wrestling, boxing, leaping, and throwing the quoit or the javelin. The foot-race well illustrates the Christian warfare, the sacrifices to be made, the diligent bringing the body under subjection, the laying aside every weight, the myriads of spectators lining the course, and among them those previously crowned victors, the exhausting efforts required, (from which the word agonize is derived,) and the glorious prize, Philippians 3:13 2 Timothy 4:7,8 Hebrews 12:1.

RACE, n. L. radix and radius having the same original. This word coincides in origin with rod, ray, radiate, &c.

1. The lineage of a family, or continued series of descendants from a parent who is called the stock. A race is the series of descendants indefinitely. Thus all mankind are called the race of Adam; the Israelites are of the race of Abraham and Jacob. Thus we speak of a race of kings, the race of Clovis or Charlemagne; a race of nobles, &c.

Hence the long race of Alban fathers come.

2. A generation; a family of descendants. A race of youthful and unhandled colts.

3. A particular breed; as a race of mules; a race of horses; a race of sheep.

Of such a race no matter who is king.

4. A root; as race-ginger, ginger in the root or not pulverized.

5. A particular strength or taste of wine; a kind of tartness.

RACE, n. L. gradior, gressus, with the prefix g. Eng. ride.

1. A running; a rapid course or motion, either on the feet, on horseback or in a carriage, &c.; particularly, a contest in running; a running in competition for a prize.

The race was one of the exercises of the Grecian games.

I wield the gauntlet and I run the race.

2. Any sunning with speed.

The flight of many birds is swifter than the race of any beast.

3. A progress; a course; a movement or progression of any kind.

My race of glory run.

Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Heb. 12.

4. Course; train; process; as the prosecution and race of the war. Not now used.

5. A strong or rapid current of water, or the channel or passage for such a current; as a mill-race.

6. By way of distinction, a contest in the running of horses; generally in the plural. The races commence in October.

RACE, v.i. To run swiftly; to run or contend in running. The animals raced over the ground.

[GAMES]