Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
PACE
I. noun see: fathom
Date: 14th century
1. rate of movement, rate of progress, an example to be emulated, d. rate of performance or delivery ; tempo , rhythmic animation ; fluency , a manner of walking ; tread ,
3. step 2a(1), any of various units of distance based on the length of a human step,
4. an exhibition or test of skills or capacities , gait ,
II. verb (paced; pacing)
Date: 1513
intransitive verb
1. to walk with often slow or measured tread, to move along ; proceed , to go at a pace, transitive verb
1. to measure by pacing, to cover at a walk , to cover (a course) by pacing,
3. to set or regulate the pace of , b. to go before ; precede , to set an example for ; lead , to keep pace with,
III. preposition see: pact
Date: 1863
contrary to the opinion of