Course or progress in a defined direction; tendency, tenor, drift (of opinions, writings, etc.).

In plural. The general course. Obsolete. rare.

Tendency of motion, course, ‘set’ of a current.

Course, direction, trend. Obsolete.

The way which affairs, thoughts, discussion, etc., take; direction, tendency, trend. Cf. turn, v. 23.

With of. The course taken by something immaterial; the manner or direction in which this develops, progresses, or changes; tend, tendency.

The way in which events or conditions are moving at a particular time or in a particular sphere; a tendency, a trend.

figurative. The current of affairs or events, esp. the popular current in business, fashion, or opinion; chiefly in in (out of) the swim.

figurative. The general course, tendency, or drift (of action, thought, etc.). Now frequently with qualifying word and without const.