Race
/reɪs/noun
A competition of speed; also a group of people sharing common ancestry or culture.
Did you know?The English word *race* for speed competition comes from Old Norse *ras* (“a rush, running”), while the other major sense, “human group,” is a much later development with a separate history.
Etymological Timeline
Old Norse
ON
ras
“a rush, a running, a rapid movement”
Middle English
ME
rase
“a swift course, running, or a rush”
16th Century
English
race
“a running contest or swift competition”
16th Century
English
race
“lineage, stock, or a people sharing common descent”
Modern English
English
race
“a speed contest; a social category based on perceived ancestry or physical traits”