Grappling - Grate
Prev Next
Graminaceous (?), a. [L. gramen, graminis, grass.] Pertaining to, or resembling, the grasses; gramineous; as, graminaceous plants.
[ Webster]
Gramineae n. 1. the grasses: chiefly herbaceous but some woody plants including cereals; bamboo; reeds; sugar cane.
Syn. -- family Gramineae, Graminaceae, family Graminaceae, Poaceae, family Poaceae, grass family.
[WordNet 1.5]
Gramineal (?), a. Gramineous.
[ Webster]
Gramineous (?), a. [L. gramineus, fr. gramen, graminis, grass.] (Bot.) Like, Or pertaining to, grass. See , n., 2.
[ Webster]
Graminifolious (?), a. [L. gramen, graminis, grass + folium leaf.] (Bot.) Bearing leaves resembling those of grass.
[ Webster]
Graminivorous (?), a. [L. gramen, graminis, grass + vorare to eat greedily.] Feeding or subsisting on grass, and the like food; -- said of horses, cattle, and other animals.
[ Webster]
gramma n. A pasture grass of the plains of South America and western North America; same as , which see.
Syn. -- grama, grama grass, gramma grass.
[WordNet 1.5]
Grammalogue (grămmȧlŏg), n. [Gr. gramma letter + logos word. Cf. .] (Phonography) Literally, a letter word; a word represented by a logogram; as, it, represented by |, that is, t. Pitman.
[ Webster]
Grammar (?), n. [OE. gramere, OF. gramaire, F. grammaire Prob. fr. L. gramatica Gr �, fem. of � skilled in grammar, fr. � letter. See , , and cf. , .] 1. The science which treats of the principles of language; the study of forms of speech, and their relations to one another; the art concerned with the right use and application of the rules of a language, in speaking or writing.
[ Webster]
☞ The whole fabric of grammar rests upon the classifying of words according to their function in the sentence. Bain.
[ Webster]
2. The art of speaking or writing with correctness or according to established usage; speech considered with regard to the rules of a grammar.
[ Webster]
The original bad grammar and bad spelling.
Macaulay.
[ Webster]
3. A treatise on the principles of language; a book containing the principles and rules for correctness in speaking or writing.
[ Webster]
4. treatise on the elements or principles of any science; as, a grammar of geography.
[ Webster]
Coloq. Comparative grammar , the science which determines the relations of kindred languages by examining and comparing their grammatical forms. -- Coloq. Grammar school . (a) A school, usually endowed, in which Latin and Greek grammar are taught, as also other studies preparatory to colleges or universities; as, the famous Rugby Grammar School. This use of the word is more common in England than in the United States.
[ Webster]
When any town shall increase to the number of a hundred
families or householders, they shall set up a grammar school, the master thereof being able to instruct youth so far as they may be fitted for the University.
Mass. Records (1647).
(b) In the American system of graded common schools, at one time the term referred to an intermediate school between the primary school and the high school, in which the principles of English grammar were taught; now, it is synonymous with primary school or elementary school, being the first school at which children are taught subjects required by the state educational laws. In different communities, the grammar school (primary school) may have grades 1 to 4, 1 to 6, or 1 to 8, usually together with a kindergarten. Schools between the primary school and high school are now commonly termed middle school or intermediate school.
[ Webster +PJC]
Grammar, v. i. To discourse according to the rules of grammar; to use grammar. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
[ Webster]
Grammarian (?), n. [Cf. F. grammairien.] 1. One versed in grammar, or the construction of languages; a philologist.
[ Webster]
☞ “The term was used by the classic ancients as a term of honorable distinction for all who were considered learned in any art or faculty whatever.” Brande & C.
[ Webster]
2. One who writes on, or teaches, grammar.
[ Webster]
Grammarianism (?), n. The principles, practices, or peculiarities of grammarians. [R.]
[ Webster]
Grammarless (?), a. Without grammar.
[ Webster]
Grammates (?), n. pl. [From Gr. � letters, written rules.] Rudiments; first principles, as of grammar. [Obs.] Ford.
[ Webster]
Grammatic (?), a. Grammatical.
[ Webster]
Grammatical (?), a. [L. grammaticus, grammaticalis; Gr. � skilled in grammar, knowing one's letters, from � a letter: cf. F. grammatical. See .] 1. Of or pertaining to grammar; of the nature of grammar; as, a grammatical rule.
[ Webster]
2. According to the rules of grammar; grammatically correct; as, the sentence is not grammatical; the construction is not grammatical.
--Grammatically, adv. -- Grammaticalness, n.
[ Webster]
Grammaticaster (?), n. [LL.] A petty grammarian; a grammatical pedant or pretender.
[ Webster]
My noble Neophite, my little grammaticaster.
B. Jonson.
[ Webster]
Grammatication (?), n. A principle of grammar; a grammatical rule. [Obs.] Dalgarno.
[ Webster]
Grammaticism (?), n. A point or principle of grammar. Abp. Leighton.
[ Webster]
Grammaticize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Grammaticized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Grammaticizing (?).] To render grammatical. Fuller.
[ Webster]
Grammatist (?), n. [L. grammatista schoolmaster, Gr. �, from � to teach the letters, to be a scribe: cf. F. grammatiste. See .] A petty grammarian. [R.] Tooke.
[ Webster]
Grammatophyllum n. A small genus of large epiphytic or terrestrial orchids of Southeastern Asia to Polynesia; the giants of the Orchidaceae having long narrow leaves and drooping flower clusters often 6 feet long.
Syn. -- genus Grammatophyllum.
[WordNet 1.5]
Gramme (?), n. Same as the weight.
[ Webster]
Gramme machine (?). (Elec.) A kind of dynamo-electric machine; -- so named from its French inventor, M. Gramme. Knight.
[ Webster]
grammer (grămmẽr) n. ; -- a common misspelling. [Misspelling]
[PJC]
Gramophone (?), n. [Gr. � a thing drawn or written (fr. � write) + -phone, as in telephone. Originally a trademark.] An instrument for recording, preserving, and reproducing sounds, the record being a tracing of a phonautograph etched in some solid material. Reproduction is accomplished by means of a system attached to an elastic diaphragm. This older term is almost completely replaced for modern devices by the word (or ), and technological changes have made the term sound antiquated, and it is usually used to refer to older non-electronic versions of the phonograph. [obsolescent]
[Webster Suppl. +PJC]
Grampus (?), n.; pl. Grampuses (#). [Probably corrupted from It. gran pesce great fish, or Sp. gran pez, or Pg. gran peixe, all fr. L. grandis piscis. See , and . the animal.] 1. (Zoöl.) A toothed delphinoid cetacean, of the genus Grampus, esp. G. griseus of Europe and America, which is valued for its oil. It grows to be fifteen to twenty feet long; its color is gray with white streaks. Called also cowfish. The California grampus is G. Stearnsii.
[ Webster]
2. A kind of tongs used in a bloomery. [U.S.]
{ Granade (?), Granado (?), } n. See .
[ Webster]
Granadilla (?), n. [Sp., dim. of granada pomegranate. See , .] (Bot.) The fruit of certain species of passion flower (esp. Passiflora quadrangularis) found in Brazil and the West Indies. It is as large as a child's head, and is a good dessert fruit. The fruit of Passiflora edulis is used for flavoring ices.
[ Webster]
granadillo n. (Bot.) A West Indian tree (Brya ebenus) yielding a fine grade of green ebony.
Syn. -- granadilla tree, Brya ebenus.
[WordNet 1.5]
Granary (?), n.; pl. Granaries (#). [L. granarium, fr. granum grain. See .] 1. A storehouse or repository for grain, esp. after it is thrashed or husked; a cornhouse.
[ Webster]
2. Hence: (Fig.), A region fertile in grain; in this sense, equivalent to breadbasket, used figuratively; as, Ukraine, the granary of the Soviet Union.
[ Webster +PJC]
The exhaustless granary of a world.
Thomson.
[ Webster]
Granate (?), n. See .
[ Webster]
Granatin (?), n. [L. granatum the pomegranate.] (Chem.) D-mannitol; -- so called because found in the pomegranate. See .
[ Webster]
Granatite (?), n. See .
[ Webster]
Grand (grănd), a. [Compar. Grander (grăndẽr); superl. Grandest.] [OE. grant, grount, OF. grant, F. grand, fr. L. grandis; perh. akin to gravis heavy, E. grave, a. Cf. .] 1. Of large size or extent; great; extensive; hence, relatively great; greatest; chief; principal; as, a grand mountain; a grand army; a grand mistake. “Our grand foe, Satan.” Milton.
[ Webster]
Making so bold . . . to unseal
Their grand commission.
Shak.
[ Webster]
2. Great in size, and fine or imposing in appearance or impression; illustrious, dignifled, or noble (said of persons); majestic, splendid, magnificent, or sublime (said of things); as, a grand monarch; a grand lord; a grand general; a grand view; a grand conception.
[ Webster]
They are the highest models of expression, the unapproached
masters of the grand style.
M. Arnold.
[ Webster]
3. Having higher rank or more dignity, size, or importance than other persons or things of the same name; as, a grand lodge; a grand vizier; a grand piano, etc.
[ Webster]
4. Standing in the second or some more remote degree of parentage or descent; -- generalIy used in composition; as, grandfather, grandson, grandchild, etc.
[ Webster]
What cause
Mov'd our grand parents, in that happy state,
Favor'd of Heaven so highly, to fall off
From their Creator.
Milton.
[ Webster]
Coloq. Grand action , a pianoforte action, used in grand pianos, in which special devices are employed to obtain perfect action of the hammer in striking and leaving the string. -- Coloq. Grand Army of the Republic , an organized voluntary association of men who served in the Union army or navy during the civil war in the United States. The order has chapters, called Posts, throughout the country. -- Coloq. Grand cross . (a) The highest rank of knighthood in the Order of the Bath. (b) A knight grand cross. -- Coloq. Grand cordon , the cordon or broad ribbon, identified with the highest grade in certain honorary orders; hence, a person who holds that grade. -- Coloq. Grand days (Eng. Law), certain days in the terms which are observed as holidays in the inns of court and chancery (Candlemas, Ascension, St. John Baptist's, and All Saints' Days); called also Dies non juridici. -- Coloq. Grand duchess . (a) The wife or widow of a grand duke. (b) A lady having the sovereignty of a duchy in her own right. (c) In Russia, a daughter of the Czar. -- Coloq. Grand duke . (a) A sovereign duke, inferior in rank to a king; as, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. (b) In Russia, a son of the Czar. (c) (Zoöl.) The European great horned owl or eagle owl (Bubo maximas). -- Coloq. Grand-guard , or Coloq. Grandegarde , a piece of plate armor used in tournaments as an extra protection for the left shoulder and breast. -- Coloq. Grand juror , a member of a grand jury. -- Coloq. Grand jury (Law), a jury of not less than twelve men, and not more than twenty-three, whose duty it is, in private session, to examine into accusations against persons charged with crime, and if they see just cause, then to find bills of indictment against them, to be presented to the court; -- called also grand inquest. -- Coloq. Grand juryman , a grand juror. -- Coloq. Grand larceny . (Law) See under . -- Coloq. Grand lodge , the chief lodge, or governing body, among Freemasons and other secret orders. -- Coloq. Grand master . (a) The head of one of the military orders of knighthood, as the Templars, Hospitallers, etc. (b) The head of the order of Freemasons or of Good Templars, etc. -- Coloq. Grand paunch , a glutton or gourmand. [Obs.] Holland. -- Coloq. Grand pensionary . See under . -- Coloq. Grand piano (Mus.), a large piano, usually harp-shaped, in which the wires or strings are generally triplicated, increasing the power, and all the mechanism is introduced in the most effective manner, regardless of the size of the instrument. -- Coloq. Grand relief (Sculp.), alto relievo. -- Coloq. Grand Seignior . See under . -- Coloq. Grand stand , the principal stand, or erection for spectators, at a, race course, etc. -- Coloq. Grand vicar (Eccl.), a principal vicar; an ecclesiastical delegate in France. -- Coloq. Grand vizier . See under .
Syn. -- Magnificent; sublime; majestic; dignified; elevated; stately; august; pompous; lofty; eralted; noble. -- Grand, Magnificent, Sublime. Grand, in reference to objects of taste, is applied to that which expands the mind by a sense of vastness and majesty; magnificent is applied to anything which is imposing from its splendor; sublime describes that which is awful and elevating. A cataract is grand; a rich and varied landscape is magnificent; an overhanging precipice is sublime. “Grandeur admits of degrees and modifications; but magnificence is that which has already reached the highest degree of superiority naturally belonging to the object in question.” Crabb.
[ Webster]
Grandam (?), n. [F. grande, fem. of grand + dame. See , and .] An old woman; specifically, a grandmother. Shak.
[ Webster]
Grandaunt (?), n. [Cf. F. grand'tante.] The aunt of one's father or mother.
[ Webster]
Grandchild (?), n. A son's or daughter's child; a child in the second degree of descent.
[ Webster]
Granddaughter (?), n. The daughter of one's son or daughter.
[ Webster]
Grand-ducal (?), a. Of or pertaining to a grand duke. H. James.
[ Webster]
Grandee (?), n. [Sp. grande. See .] A man of elevated rank or station; a nobleman. In Spain, a nobleman of the first rank, who may be covered in the king's presence.
[ Webster]
Grandeeship, n. The rank or estate of a grandee; lordship. H. Swinburne.
[ Webster]
Grandeur (?), n. [F., fr. grand. See .] The state or quality of being grand; vastness; greatness; splendor; magnificence; stateliness; sublimity; dignity; elevation of thought or expression; nobility of action.
[ Webster]
Nor doth this grandeur and majestic show
Of luxury . . . allure mine eye.
Milton.
Syn. -- Sublimity; majesty; stateliness; augustness; loftiness. See .
[ Webster]
Grandevity (?), n. [L. grandaevitas.] Great age; long life. [Obs.] Glanvill.
[ Webster]
Grandevous (?), a. [L. grandaevus; grandig grand+ aevum lifetime, age.] Of great age; aged; longlived. [R.] Bailey.
[ Webster]
Grandfather (?), n. A father's or mother's father; an ancestor immediately after the father or mother in lineal ascent.
[ Webster]
Coloq. Grandfather longlegs . (Zoöl.) See .
[ Webster]
Grandfatherly, a. Like a grandfather in age or manner; kind; benignant; indulgent.
[ Webster]
He was a grandfatherly sort of personage.
Hawthorne.
[ Webster]
Grandific (?), a. [L. grandificus; grandis grand + facere to make.] Making great. [R.] Bailey.
[ Webster]
Grandiloquence (?), n. The use of lofty words or phrases; bombast; -- usually in a bad sense.
[ Webster]
The sin of grandiloquence or tall talking.
Thackeray,
[ Webster]
Grandiloquent (?), a. [L. grandis grand + logui to speak.] Speaking in a lofty style; pompous; bombastic.
[ Webster]
Grandiloquous (?), a. [L. grandiloquus; grandis grand + loqui to apeak.] Grandiloquent.
[ Webster]
Grandinous (?), a. [L. grandinosus, fr. qrando, grandinis, hail.] Consisting of hail; abounding in hail. [R.] Bailey.
[ Webster]
Grandiose (?), a. [F. grandiose, It. grandioso. See .] 1. Impressive or elevating in effect; imposing; splendid; striking; -- in a good sense.
[ Webster]
The tone of the parts was to be perpetually kept down in order not to impair the grandiose effect of the whole.
M. Arnold.
[ Webster]
The grandiose red tulips which grow wild.
C. Kingsley.
[ Webster]
2. Characterized by affectation of grandeur or splendor; flaunting; turgid; bombastic; -- in a bad sense; as, a grandiose style.
[ Webster]
Grandiosity (?), n. [Cf. F. grandiosité, It. grandiosità.] The state or quality of being grandiose,
[ Webster]
Grandity (?), n. [L. granditas: cf. OF. granité. See .] Grandness. [Obs.] Camden.
[ Webster]
Grandly, adv. In a grand manner.
{ Grandma (?), Grandmamma (?), } n. A grandmother.
[ Webster]
Grand mercy (?). See . [Obs.]
[ Webster]
Grandmother (?), n. The mother of one's father or mother.
[ Webster]
Grandmotherly, a. Like a grandmother in age or manner; kind; indulgent.
[ Webster]
Grandnephew (?), n. The grandson of one's brother or sister.
[ Webster]
Grandness, n. Grandeur. Wollaston.
[ Webster]
Grandniece (?), n. The granddaughter of one's brother or sister.
{ Grandpa (?), Grandpapa (?), } n. A grandfather.
[ Webster]
Grandsire (?), n. [OF. grantsire. See , and .] Specifically, a grandfather; more generally, any ancestor.
[ Webster]
Grandson (?), n. A son's or daughter's son.
[ Webster]
Granduncle (?), n. [Cf. F. grand-oncle.] A father's or mother's uncle.
[ Webster]
grand unified theory, grand unification theory n. (Theoretical physics) Any of a class of physics theories that attempts to explain the electroweak forces, stong force, and gravitation within a single mathematical conceptual scheme. In the 1990's string theory and superstring theory were prominent examples. Abbreviated GUT, plural GUTs.
[PJC]
Grane (?), v. & n. See . [Obs.]
[ Webster]
Grange (?), n. [F. grange barn, LL. granea, from L. granum grain. See a kernel.] 1. A building for storing grain; a granary. [Obs.] Milton.
[ Webster]
2. A farmhouse, with the barns and other buildings for farming purposes.
[ Webster]
And eke an officer out for to ride,
To see her granges and her bernes wide.
Chaucer.
[ Webster]
Nor burnt the grange, nor bussed the milking maid.
Tennyson.
[ Webster]
3. A farmhouse of a monastery, where the rents and tithes, paid in grain, were deposited. [Obs.]
[ Webster]
4. A farm; generally, a farm with a house at a distance from neighbors.
[ Webster]
5. An association of farmers, designed to further their interests, and particularly to bring producers and consumers, farmers and manufacturers, into direct commercial relations, without intervention of middlemen or traders. The first grange was organized in 1867. [U. S.]
[ Webster]
Granger (?), n. 1. A farm steward. [Obs.]
[ Webster]
2. A member of a grange. [U. S.]
[ Webster]
Grangerism (?), n. [So called from the Rev. James Granger, whose “Biographical History of England” (1769) was a favorite book for illustration in this manner.] The practice of illustrating a particular book by engravings collected from other books.
[ Webster]
Grangerite (?), n. One who collects illustrations from various books for the decoration of one book.
[ Webster]
Grangerize (?), v. t. & i. To collect (illustrations from books) for decoration of other books. G. A. Sala.
[ Webster]
{Granger railroads, or Granger roads }. (Finance) Certain railroads whose traffic largely consists in carrying the produce of farmers or grangers; -- specifically applied to the Chicago & Alton; Chicago, Burlington & Quincey; Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific; Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul; and Chicago & Northwestern, railroads. [U. S., obsolescent].
[Webster Suppl.]
Granger stocks or Granger shares. Stocks or shares of the granger railroads.
[Webster Suppl.]
Graniferous (?), a. [L. qranifer; granum grain + ferre to bear: cf. F. granifère.] Bearing grain, or seeds like grain. Humble.
[ Webster]
Graniform (?), a. [L. granum grain + -form; cf. F. graniforme.] Formed like of corn.
[ Webster]
Granilla (?), n. [Sp., small seed.] Small grains or dust of cochineal or the coccus insect.
[ Webster]
Granite (grănĭt), n. [It. granito granite, adj., grainy, p. p. of granire to make grainy, fr. L. granum grain; cf. F. granit. See .] (Geol.) A crystalline, granular rock, consisting of quartz, feldspar, and mica, and usually of a whitish, grayish, or flesh-red color. It differs from gneiss in not having the mica in planes, and therefore in being destitute of a schistose structure.
[ Webster]
☞ Varieties containing hornblende are common. See also the under .
[ Webster]
Prev Next
Concept Explore Home
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z