n. & v.
--n.
1. a a certain degree in rank, merit, proficiency, quality, etc. b a class of persons or things of the same grade.
2 a a mark indicating the quality of a student's work. b an examination, esp. in music.
3 US a class in school, concerned with a particular year's work and usu. numbered from the first upwards.
4 a a gradient or slope. b the rate of ascent or descent.
5 a a variety of cattle produced by crossing native stock with a superior breed. b a group of animals at a similar level of development.
6 Philol. a relative position in a series of forms involving ablaut.
--v.
1. tr. arrange in or allocate to grades; class, sort.
2 intr. (foll. by up, down, off, into, etc.) pass gradually between grades, or into a grade.
3 tr. give a grade to (a student).
4 tr. blend so as to affect the grade of colour with tints passing into each other.
5 tr. reduce (a road etc.) to easy gradients.
6 tr. (often foll. by up) cross (livestock) with a better breed.
Phrases and idioms:
at grade US on the same level. grade crossing US level crossing. grade school US elementary school. make the grade colloq. succeed; reach the desired standard.
Etymology: F grade or L gradus step