dēcursus
ūs, m.
I.
a running down, downward course, descent; declivity (class.).
I.
Lit.
A.
In gen.: montibus ex altis magnus decursus aquaï, Lucr. 1, 284; 5, 264; 944; Ov. M. 15, 266: rapidus (amnium), Verg. A. 12, 523: navium, Frontin. Strat. 1, 5, 6: planitiei, descent, inclination, Auct. B. Hisp. 29; hence concr., Vitr. 8, 7: secus decursus aquarum, Vulg. Psa. 1, 3. —
B.
In partic.
1.
Milit. t. t., a manœuvring, evolution, hostile attack, Liv. 1, 27; 42, 52; Tac. A. 2, 55; 12, 55; Frontin. Strat. 2, 2, 2 al.—
b.
Transf., a running in armor, περιδρομή, on the occasion of a festival, Liv. 40, 9; Pers. 6, 61; Gell. 7, 3, 52; cf. decurro and decursio.—
2.
The completion, end of a course: destitit ante decursum, neque eo secius coronatus est, Suet. Ner. 24.—
II.
Trop.
A.
In gen., a course: facilior erit mihi quasi decursus mei temporis, Cic. Fam. 3, 2, 2: si forensium rerum labor decursu honorum et jam aetatis flexu constitisset, id. de Or. 1, 1, 1.—
B.
Rhetor. t. t., the rhythmical movement of a verse, Quint. 9, 4, 115; 11, 2, 25.