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.,” a descending aqueduct, 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,” a course, career, Cic. Fam. 3, 2, 2: “si forensium rerum labor decursu honorum et jam aetatis flexu constitisset,” i. e. after administering every grade of office, id. de Or. 1, 1, 1.—
B. Rhetor. t. t., the rhythmical movement of a verse, Quint. 9, 4, 115; 11, 2, 25.
