Pace Once Meant Two Steps, Not One
A pace is a single step or a rate of movement. The Roman measure counted differently.
A pace is a single step, or the rate at which something moves. As a Roman unit it counted a *double* step — from the lifting of one foot to the next time that same foot came down, about five feet. That is why a Roman mile was a thousand paces yet ran to around 1,480 metres rather than half that. The word comes from Latin *passus*, a step, from *pandere*, to stretch out, referring to the stretch of the legs.
- A single step. *Take two paces back.*
- A rate of movement. *A brisk pace.*
- To walk back and forth. *Pacing the room.*
- To set the pace. *Setting the pace.*
- Latin — *passus*, a step. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | pace | A pace. |
| Verb | pace | Pacing. |
| Agent | pacemaker | A pacemaker. |
| Related | pass | To pass. |
| Latin | passus | A step. |
- He quickened his pace.Rate.
- Take three paces forward.Step.
- A Roman pace was two steps.History.
Body-based units of measure
- Pace — a double step, about five feet
- Foot — the length of a foot
- Cubit — elbow to fingertip
- Fathom — the span of outstretched arms
- Hand — four inches, still used for horses
Old French *pas*, from Latin *passus*, a step or stride, from *pandere*, to stretch.
Was a Roman pace one step?
No. It counted a double step, from one footfall to the next by the same foot, about five feet.
Why is a Roman mile a thousand paces?
Because mille passus means exactly that. With a double-step pace it came to roughly 1,480 metres.