Stern chase

Chase Chase, n. [Cf. F. chasse, fr. chasser. See {Chase}, v.] 1. Vehement pursuit for the purpose of killing or capturing, as of an enemy, or game; an earnest seeking after any object greatly desired; the act or habit of hunting; a hunt. ``This mad chase of fame.'' --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

You see this chase is hotly followed. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. That which is pursued or hunted. [1913 Webster]

Nay, Warwick, seek thee out some other chase, For I myself must hunt this deer to death. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. An open hunting ground to which game resorts, and which is private properly, thus differing from a forest, which is not private property, and from a park, which is inclosed. Sometimes written chace. [Eng.] [1913 Webster]

4. (Court Tennis) A division of the floor of a gallery, marked by a figure or otherwise; the spot where a ball falls, and between which and the dedans the adversary must drive his ball in order to gain a point. [1913 Webster]

{Chase gun} (Naut.), a cannon placed at the bow or stern of an armed vessel, and used when pursuing an enemy, or in defending the vessel when pursued.

{Chase port} (Naut.), a porthole from which a chase gun is fired.

{Stern chase} (Naut.), a chase in which the pursuing vessel follows directly in the wake of the vessel pursued.

{cut to the chase} (Film), a term used in action movies meaning, to shift the scene to the most exciting part, where someone is being chased. It is used metaphorically to mean ``get to the main point''. [1913 Webster +PJC]