He sees in English ships the Holland coast.
Dryden.
We the Arabian coast do know
At distance, when the species blow.
Waller.
The coast is clear, the danger is over; no enemy in sight. Dryden. Fig.: There are no obstacles. "Seeing that the coast was clear, Zelmane dismissed Musidorus." Sir P. Sidney. -- Coast guard. (a) A body of men originally employed along the coast to prevent smuggling; now, under the control of the admiralty, drilled as a naval reserve. [Eng.] (b) The force employed in life-saving stations along the seacoast. [U. S.] -- Coast rat (Zo÷l.), a South African mammal (Bathyergus suillus), about the size of a rabbit, remarkable for its extensive burrows; -- called also sand mole. -- Coast waiter, a customhouse officer who superintends the landing or shipping of goods for the coast trade. [Eng.]
Coast (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Coasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Coasting.] [OE. costien, costeien, costen, OF. costier, costoier, F. c˘toyer, fr. Of. coste coast, F. c˘te. See Coast, n.] 1. To draw or keep near; to approach. [Obs.]
Anon she hears them chant it lustily,
And all in haste she coasteth to the cry.
Shak.