Pronunciation: [kˈɔːsɪŋ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "coursing" can be explained using the IPA phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced as /ˈkɔːsɪŋ/, with a long "o" sound and a short "i" sound. The letter "u" in the word represents an "ou" sound, while the letters "ng" represent a nasal sound. The "s" in the word is pronounced as a voiceless "s" sound. Overall, the spelling of "coursing" accurately represents its phonetic pronunciation.
Coursing is a noun that refers to the act or sport of hunting game, typically with the use of dogs. This term is often associated with the pursuit of small game, such as hares or rabbits, using sighthounds that rely on their speed and visual perception to track and chase down their prey. The practice of coursing has ancient origins and has been historically favored by the nobility and aristocracy as a form of entertainment and sport.
In coursing, a live animal, usually a hare, is released and the sighthounds are set loose to chase and capture it. The dogs work in pairs, displaying their agility, stamina, and hunting instincts as they pursue the prey across open fields or specially designed coursing arenas. The objective of coursing is for the sighthounds to catch the fleeing animal, rather than kill it, and points are typically awarded based on their performance in the chase.
Coursing has evolved over time and can take various forms depending on the region and specific rules governing the activity. In some cases, artificial lures or mechanical devices are used instead of live animals to simulate the chase. Coursing can also be practiced as a competitive sport, with organized events and championships held to showcase the abilities of the participating dogs and their handlers.
Overall, coursing combines elements of athleticism, strategy, and the natural hunting instincts of dogs, making it a popular activity among enthusiasts who appreciate both the skill of the dogs and the thrill of the chase.
The sport of chasing and hunting with greyhounds.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "coursing" originated from the Old French term "cours", meaning a run or course. The Old French word was derived from the Latin word "cursus", which also meant a course or a running. Both "cours" and "cursus" were derived from the Latin verb "currere", meaning to run. As the years went by, the word "coursing" formed in English to refer specifically to the act of pursuing and chasing animals, especially for sport.
