Race, 1) a root: “a r. or two of ginger,” Wint. IV, 3, 50 (cf. Raze).
2) lineage, generation (of men); breed (of animals or plants): “a wanton herd or r. of youthful and unhandled colts,” Merch. V, 72. “make conceive a bark of baser kind by bud of nobler r.” Wint. IV, 4, 95. “of the Nevils' noble r.” H6B III, 2, 215. “a happy r. of kings,” R3 V, 3, 157. “the whole r. of mankind,” Tim. IV, 1, 40. “Duncan's horses, the minions of their r.” Mcb. II, 4, 15. “the getting of a lawful r.” Ant. III, 13, 107. “a valiant r.” Cymb. V, 4, 83. “pupils of noble r.” Per. V Prol. Per. V Prol. Peculiar passage: “none our parts so poor but was a r. of heaven,” Ant. I, 3, 37 (== a breed of heaven, of heavenly origin. Warburton: had a smack or flavour of heaven).
3) natural disposition: “thy vile r., though thou didst learn, had that in't which good natures could not abide to be with,” Tp. I, 2, 358. “now I give my sensual r. the rein,” Meas. II, 4, 160.