Career, n.
Etymology: [F. carrière race course, high road, street, fr. L. carrus wagon. See Car.]
1. A race course: the ground run over. To go back again the same career. Sir P. Sidney.
2. A running; full speed; a rapid course. When a horse is running in his full career. Wilkins.
3. General course of action or conduct in life, or in a particular part or calling in life, or in some special undertaking; usually applied to course or conduct which is of a pubic character; as, Washington's career as a soldier. An impartial view of his whole career. Macaulay.
4. (Falconary)
1 more senses
The fight of a hawk.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Career, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Careered 3; p. pr. & vb. n. Careering]
To move or run rapidly. areering gayly over the curling waves. W. Irving.
Shades of meaning
A career was originally the ground for a race, or, especially, for a knight's charge in tournament or battle; whence career was early applied to the charge itself.
If you will use the lance, take ground for your career.... The four horsemen met in full career.
SCOTT Quentin Durward ch. 14, p. 194. [D. F. & CO.]
In its figurative use career signifies some continuous and conspicuous work, usually a life-work, and most frequently one of honorable achievement. Compare business.